Live in the rhythm of the Church Year.

Introit

Psalm 93:1, 3–4 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)

Antiphon

Psalm 93:5, 2 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)

Gradual

Psalm 45:1–2 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)

Verse

Psalm 93:1 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)

Source: LCMS One-Year Series Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.

Historical Collect — Sunday after Christmas

ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, direct our actions according to Thy good pleasure, that in the Name of Thy beloved Son, we may be made to abound in good works; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book (Baltimore, 1893), Introits and Collects for the Church Year (opens in a new tab). Public-domain text (published 1893), transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of the Princeton Theological Seminary Library copy.

Prayers of the Church for December 28, 2025 — Responsive Form

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Gracious Lord, You sent forth Your Son as a shoot from the stump of Jesse to bear godly fruit. Grant that we who have been grafted into Christ would bear the same sevenfold fruit of the Spirit. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty God, in the depth of love for Your creation, You brought Your Son to the temple and placed Him in the hands of blessed St. Simeon. Abide with those You place in the Office of the Holy Ministry, that their hands would be ever ready to deliver Your gifts to Your people and their lips bold to speak Your Gospel. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth! Out of the mouths of babes and nursing infants You have perfected Your praise. Silence the enemy and the avenger. Turn the hearts of all who, like Herod, would despise children or destroy the unborn for selfish gain. Show Your forgiveness to those who are penitent. Give Your comfort to all women who mourn the loss of infants, and fix our eyes on Christ, who for a time was spared but has shed His blood for our salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O God, Your own Son became incarnate for us and grew from childhood into maturity filled with wisdom, and Your favor was upon Him. Grant to parents and children the wisdom and courage to know You as Savior and Redeemer and to gather at Your bidding around Your Word and table. Help us form within our children the knowledge of what is right and good according to Your Word, as well as the will to do it. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Righteous Lord, graciously preserve our nation and cause our leaders to serve faithfully and wisely, making God-pleasing decisions and walking in integrity. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have declared us to be Your children and fellow heirs with Christ. Trusting that You delight to hear the prayers of Your children, we commend to You all who need deliverance from affliction, grief and suffering [especially _____________]. Give them relief according to Your will, and work all things for their comfort and faith. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful God, let all who come to the Sacrament of the Altar this day see their salvation in the very body and blood of Christ given them to eat and to drink. Let all return home like blessed Simeon, well prepared to depart in peace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

All these things and whatever else You know that we need, grant us, Father, for the sake of Him who died and rose again and now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.

Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — One-Year 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.