For enabling our founding fathers to give up comfortable homes,
schools, and churches for the sake of the true doctrine . . .
We thank Thee, Lord.
For giving our founding fathers secular work, shelter, and a place
to worship with their flocks . . .
We thank Thee, Lord.
For granting them the two-fold privilege of not only believing in
Jesus the Christ, but also suffering for His name's sake . . .
We thank Thee, Lord.
For Thy forgiveness when they indulged in self-pity, indignation,
and also desire for revenge in those early years . . .
We thank Thee, Lord.
For calming their fears, correcting their errors, and for causing
good to come out of their labors . . .
We thank Thee, Lord.
For restoring and preserving the wholesome Scripture doctrine of
religious fellowship in our midst . . .
We thank Thee, Lord.
For guiding us to strive for unity of doctrine and practice in an
evangelical rather than in a legalistic spirit . . .
We thank Thee, Lord.
For our schools, college, and seminary which provide doctrinally
sound lay members, teachers, and pastors to carry the work forward...
We thank Thee, Lord.
For the continued benefit we receive from the Lutheran Spokesman,
the Journal of Theology, and the Ministry by Mail . . .
We thank Thee, Lord.
For the Holy Spirit, who alone keeps us scriptural, evangelical, and
mission-minded . . .
We thank Thee, Lord.
For allowing us to share the Savior with others here at home and in
foreign lands . . .
We thank Thee, Lord.
For these and all other undeserved blessings showered upon our Church
of the Lutheran Confession . . .
We thank Thee, Lord.
(Pastor Em. Robert Mackensen)