The Congregation at Prayer

For the Week of the Baptism of Our Lord (January 12-17, 2026)

Invocation: In the Name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Speak the Apostles’ Creed. 

Verse: Mark 8:31 – “And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

Hymn of the Week:  Lutheran Service Book #402 “The Only Son from Heaven”

Hymns for Sunday: 398, 402, 634, 688, 517 (v. 10), 533

Readings for the Week: [The readings for Thursday-Saturday are the Scriptures for this coming Sunday.]

Monday: Isaiah 49:1-7

How are these verses talking about Jesus? How did it look like He labored in vain? Yet what did God do through Him? For who?

Tuesday: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

How does Paul describe the Corinthian Christians? What has God done for them? Promised them? What hope does that give you?

Wednesday: John 1:29–42a

What did John call Jesus? Why did he call Him that? Some called Him “Rabbi.” Was He? How was He much more than that?

Thursday: Acts 4:8-13

There is salvation in no one but Jesus. So why do we keep looking for what we need in other people and places?

Friday: 2 Peter 1:1-15

From what has the life and godliness of Jesus given us escape? But are these things still dangerous? So what shall we strive to do?

Saturday: Mark 8:27–35

What does it mean to confess that Jesus is the Christ? What does this mean for how you live? Is this true for you? Why or why not?

The Catechism - Daily Prayers: Evening Prayer: I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Collect for the Week: Heavenly Father, You revealed to the apostle Peter the blessed truth that Your Son Jesus is the Christ. Strengthen us by the proclamation of this truth that we too may joyfully confess that there is salvation in no one else; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The Prayers:  Please pray for . . .

+ yourself and for all in need (remembering especially those on our prayer list).

+ God’s blessing, wisdom, and guidance for our congregation’s Board of Evangelism and Outreach.

+ the Ev. Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, for God’s wisdom, blessing, guidance, and provision.

+ God’s blessing, guidance, and wisdom for our Synod’s Board for National Mission.

Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer and Luther’s Morning or Evening Prayer from the Catechism.

Now joyfully go about your day (or to bed) in good cheer, child of God!

Collect for the Week © 2018 Concordia Publishing House.

Lutheran Service Book Hymn License: 110019268