A Prayer for the Feast of St. Andrew
November 30 / Matthew 4:18–22 / By Esaias Heidenreich
Lord Jesus, Son of the eternal and living God, we recognize Your dear and inexpressible love and fidelity towards the entire human race, for the comfort of which You not only took human nature upon Yourself as a mediator and savior, but You have also given so high a blessing through the gracious revelation and preaching of Your most holy Word and will, in that You thereby gather, call, and sanctify Your Christian Church, which You draw to eternal life. How richly You have adorned Your dear apostles with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and instructed them so that Your Word and name may be further spread abroad! Therefore, we firmly believe that today You still sit at the right hand of Your heavenly Father, give gifts to men, fill all things, and set some as apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers, so that Your saints may be equipped and that all may come to a unified faith and knowledge. Therefore, we, poor sinful men and women, pray: preserve Your beloved ministry among us, as has happened up to now, without falsehood, error, strife, and offense. Bless and govern with the power of Your Holy Spirit our faithful pastors and preachers, in whose care You have entrusted us. Grant that we may be guarded against presumption and disdain for Your holy Word, and that we may blessedly believe and live according to Your command and will, so that we may depart from this life with a joyful conscience. Amen.
Esaias Heidenreich, Betbüchlein (1572)
Lucas Cranach the Elder, Saint Andrew (c. 1512)