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July 5, 2026
See TodayProper 9
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Zech. 9:9–12 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 145:1–14 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Epistle
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Rom. 7:14–25a (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Gospel
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Matt. 11:25–30 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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Proper 9
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
Jesus Christ, Our Savior, Is Our True Peace and Sabbath Rest
Though we have died with Christ in Holy Baptism, and we are raised to new life in Him, we find “another law waging war” in our body and life, that is, between our old Adam and the new man (Rom. 7:23). By the Spirit of Christ, we “desire to do what is right,” but we are not able to do so because “nothing good” dwells in our sinful flesh (Rom. 7:18). “Thanks be to God,” therefore, “through Jesus Christ our Lord,” who delivers us from “this body of death” (Rom. 7:24–25). We rejoice in Him, our gentle King, who comes “righteous and having salvation” (Zech. 9:9). He speaks peace to our embattled hearts, and by His blood of the New Testament He sets us “free from the waterless pit,” and He returns us to the stronghold of our Baptism (Zech. 9:10–12). Though we “labor and are heavy laden,” He calls us to Himself and gives rest to our souls through His free and full forgiveness (Matt. 11:28), not because we are “wise and understanding,” but by the “gracious will” of God the Father, whom “the Son chooses to reveal” in love (Matt. 11:25–27).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Three-Year Lectionary Series A (opens in a new tab). Used by permission. These pages may be reproduced for congregational use only. Commercial reproduction, or reproduction for sale of this work or any portion of this work, without the written permission of the copyright holder, is prohibited. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Scripture quoted in the summary is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Introit, Gradual and Verse
- Gradual (seasonal)
- Romans 11:33, 36 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
Source: LCMS Three-Year Series (A) Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for July 5, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
O God, Your Son, Jesus, invited us to take up His light and easy burden and so find rest for our souls. Keep us mindful of the eternal rest of salvation that is only found in the work of Christ, our only hope of eternal life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of heaven and earth, You have hidden things from the wise and understanding. Give to Your Church pastors who will faithfully proclaim the hidden things and make them known to us and our children. May Your Word continue to flourish in our congregation, and may we grow in faith and knowledge. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, fill our homes with Your Word and grace. Be the companion of those who are alone. Strengthen husbands and wives. Bless parents as they catechize their children. Let them all find refuge in You and so preserve them from every plague and evil. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, ruler of all nations, we thank You for the blessings You have bestowed upon the United States of America and her people for 250 years. We pray that You would grant her good and wise government and sustain her in peace and security, especially so that Your Holy Gospel may be confessed openly and received gladly by her people. Bless the celebrations of this milestone, that they may unite our country as a people and cause us to renew our commitment to the public good. Let all Christians give respect, honor and love where each is due, as servants of Christ in this world whose eternal citizenship is in heaven. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, be with all who are weary and heavy-laden with the tribulations of this life. Give comfort to [_____________ and] all who suffer illness. Console them with the knowledge that Your yoke is easy and Your burden light, and that in You they will find rest for their souls. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, You release Your people from the waterless pit by the blood of Your covenant. Bless all who receive Christ’s body and blood with penitent hearts, trusting in Your promises and a common confession of faith. 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 — Series A 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Prayers of the Church for July 5, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That we may find rest in the work of Christ alone, and be encouraged by the knowledge of eternal life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For pastors who faithfully proclaim the things that the Lord has hidden from the wise and understanding, that His Word would continue to grow and flourish in us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our homes, that our heavenly Father would be the companion of those who are alone, the strength of husbands and wives, and the blessing of parents as they catechize their children; and that He would preserve our families from every plague and evil, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the United States of America as she celebrates 250 years of independence and nationhood, that God would grant her good and wise government and sustain her in peace and security, especially so that the Holy Gospel may be confessed openly and received gladly, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the celebrations of this milestone, that they may unite our country as a people and cause us to renew our commitment to the public good; and that all Christians would give respect, honor and love where each is due, as servants of Christ in this world whose eternal citizenship is in heaven, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those weary and heavy-laden with tribulations or illnesses, [especially _____________,] that they would be blessed with the knowledge of His easy yoke and light burden and find rest in the Lord, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who receive the Sacrament, that with penitent hearts and a common confession of faith, they may be freed by the blood of His eternal covenant, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
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 — Series A 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Hymn of the Day
LSB 699 I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Proper 9 (Series A).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 168 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 684 Come unto Me, Ye Weary
- Distribution LSB 423 Jesus, Refuge of the Weary
- Distribution LSB 618 I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table
- Closing LSB 675 Oh, What Their Joy
- Closing LSB 966 Before You, Lord, We Bow
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — Three-Year Lectionary Series A 2025–26 (opens in a new tab). Hymn numbers and titles only; hymn texts are not reproduced. Reproduction for individual, church or school use does not require permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.