Encore Post: As we continue looking at the liturgy of the Divine Service, after the Confession and Absolution, Introit, we find ourselves staring at the Kyrie, the most basic and frequent prayer made to our Lord.
The Church has always been a place where prayers are said. In our services we offer up prayers and petitions seemingly at every point. All of those are prayers in their own ways as we are speaking to God the words, He has given us to speak.
The word Kyrie is the Greek word for Lord, which is the first word we sing in prayer. But Kyrie is shorthand for the longer phrase: Kyrie Eleison or in English “Lord have mercy.” This prayer is perhaps the most basic prayer in the entire world. It certainly is the most frequent prayer to Jesus that we can find in the Gospels. See Luke 17:11-19, Mark 10:48, Matthew 15:21-28.
You might ask why do we sing the Kyrie when we do in the service? We have just received absolution. Mercy was just poured out to us in the forgiveness of sins. And you would be correct, so think of this prayer/song not only as a prayer for mercy, but an acknowledgement that mercy comes solely from the Trinitarian God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That is why we sing it three times. Dr. Luther wrote his own hymn for the Kyrie which is much more specific, addressing each Person of the Trinity by name.
One Pastor calls the Kyrie the first great pillar of the Divine Service because it teaches us what true Christian worship really is. If we look to the Book of Concord in the Apology of the Augsburg Confession we learn that true worship of God is the reception of His gifts, namely the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life won for us by Jesus. Mercy has been shown to us, and with this prayer leading us further into the Service of the Word mercy is exactly what we receive by hearing God’s Word in truth and purity.
Rev. Jacob Hercamp
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
La Grange, MO
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I had never thought much about ..why… we sing/chant the prayers we do and when we do them in the order of service. I appreciate the study!
I am glad you are finding this to be helpful and enlightening series!
Thanks so much…so interesting to learn & read about! God Bless!🙏☮️😘