Prayers

This prayer was said by many families before every meal:

German:

Komm Herr Jesus! Sei unser Gast,

und segne, was du uns bescheret hast! Amen.

How we said this prayer in English:

Come Lord Jesus! Be our Guest,

And let this food, to us be blessed! Amen.

 

Literal translation:

Come Lord Jesus! Be our Guest,

And bless, what you have given us!  Amen.

  

Another meal prayer:

Gott Sei Dank, für Speis’ und Trank,

für alles Gute das Du, der Herr, bereitet hast. Amen.

English translation:

God be thanked, for food and drink,

For all is good that you, oh Lord, have given. Amen.

 

We said this prayer each night before going to bed:

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep,

Guard me through the night,

And wake me with the morning light.  Amen.

 

Another variation:

Now I lay me down to sleep, 

I pray the Lord my soul to keep,

And if I die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

If I should live for other days,

I pray the Lord to guide my ways.

 

Abba Lieber Vater Amen.

Praise and thanks to God for this food, and thanks for all good things He has bestowed on us.  Amen

 

The prayer Muede bin ich, geh' zur Ruh' is a children's song wirtten by Louise Hensel, according to Deutsches Gesangbuch pub. 1894 and edited by Philipp Schaff. This hymnal set the words to music composed by Xavier Schneyder von Wartensee (1786-1868).

The full text of the song follows:

Muede bin ich, geh' zur Ruh,
Schliesse beide Aeuglein zu:
Vater, lass die Augen Dein
Ueber meinem Bette sein!

Hab' ich unrecht heut gethan,
Sieh es, lieber Gott, nicht an!
Deine Gnad' und Jesu Blut
Macht ja allen Schaden gut.

Alle, die mir sind verwandt,
Gott, lass ruhn in Deiner Hand:
Alle Menschen, gross und klein,
Sollen Dir befohlen sein.

Kranken Herzen sende Ruh,
Nasse Augen schliesse zu;
Lass den Mond am Himmel stehn
Und die stille Welt besehn!

An English translation (which is singable to the above mentioned tune):

When I'm tired, its time for bed --
I will close my eyes to rest.
Father, Your own eyes will be
Watching my bed and keeping me.

Loving God, look not upon
Where today I have been wrong;
By Your mercy and Jesus' blood
Turn my failings into good.

Everything that troubles me
I give to You and let it be --
Everything, both great and small:
You alone are Lord of all.

To my troubled heart send rest,
I close my eyes for I am blest,
Let the moon in the heavens rise,
And all the world be still besides.

Connie Dahlke

 

Ich bin klein
Mein herz ist rein
Soll niemand drin wohnen
Als Jesus allein. 

I am small,

my heart is pure.

No one shall live in it

but Jesus alone.

 

Jesus im herz
Christus im sinn
In Gottes nahmen
Schlafe geh'n. Amen