How the head of the family should teach his household to pray morning and evening

Morning Prayer.

In the morning, when you get up, bless yourself with the holy cross and say:

"In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Then, kneeling or standing, say the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer.

If you choose, you can also say this little prayer:

"I thank You, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen."

Then go to your work joyfully, singing a hymn, or whatever your devotion suggests.

Evening Prayer.

In the evening, when you go to bed, bless yourself with the holy cross and say:

"In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Then, kneeling or standing, say the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer.

If you choose, you can also say this little prayer:

"I thank You, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray You to forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen."

Then go to sleep promptly and cheerfully.

How the head of the family should teach his household to ask a blessing and return thanks

Asking a Blessing

The family shall go to the table reverently and with folded hands, and say:

"The eyes of all look to You, O Lord, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing."
[Psalm 145:15–16]

Then shall follow the Lord’s Prayer and this prayer:

"Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen."

Returning Thanks.

Likewise also after the meal they shall say reverently and with folded hands:

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever. He gives food to all flesh. He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love."
[Psalm 136:1, 25; Psalm 147:9–11]

Then shall follow the Lord’s Prayer and this prayer:

"We thank You, Lord God, heavenly Father, for all Your benefits, who live and reign forever. Amen."

This translation is by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England (2016). Distributed under Creative Commons Licence CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International)