Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Prayers remembering Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In the Anglican liturgy, today is a day to remember Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Lutheran Pastor, Theologian and Martyr (April 9th 1945).

Here is an Episcopal lectionary prayer:

Gracious God, the Beyond in the midst of our life, who gave grace to your servant Dietrich Bonhoeffer to know and teach the truth as it is in Jesus Christ, and to bear the cost of following him: Grant that we, strengthened by his teaching and example, may receive your word and embrace its call with an undivided heart; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

I prayed:

Dear Father, thank You for Dietrich Bonhoeffer's bold witness in life and death, his determination to seek truth, and for his many writings that have deeply inspired your people for decades. Grant that we too, in life and death, may also passionately love Your truth, ready to give up all in costly discipleship of his master, and ours, Jesus Christ the Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

As the Evangelisches Gesangbuch cites (p. 192):

‚Herr Jesus Christus, du warst arm und elend,
gefangen und verlassen wie ich.
Du kennst alle Not der Menschen,
du bliebst bei mir, wenn kein Mensch mir beisteht,
du vergißt mich nicht und suchst mich' (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

1 comment:

psychodougie said...

well said (gesungen)
amen