Some within the Lutheran Church encourage members to pray the rosary. Lutherans follow a similar format of the rosary as the Roman Catholics, but pray the rosary in a manner considered faithful to the Gospel as expressed by Lutherans. The Lutheran Rosary is not prayed to Mary but does include prayers of praise regarding Mary that come from Scripture. These prayers offer appropriate devotion to the Mother of Jesus.
1
Begin by touching the crucifix and pray The Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
As you say this, with your right hand touch your forehead when you say Father, touch your breastbone when you say Son, touch your left shoulder when you say Holy, and touch your right shoulder when you say Spirit.
2
Holding the crucifix Pray The Apostles' Creed. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, who was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day, He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
3
On the first large rosary bead, pray for the Our Father. Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
4
On each of the next three beads (smaller), pray the Jesus Prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
5
On the next large bead, pray Glory Be To the Father. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
6
Announce the Mystery.
On the first rosary bead (large), pray the Our Father.
On each of the next ten beads ( the smaller ones, also known as a decade), pray the Jesus Prayer.
On the next large bead, pray a Glory Be To The Father.
On that same large bead, announce the next mystery
7
Repeat step six for each of the remaining Mysteries as you work your way around the rosary beads.
8
Holding the medal, either pray a Pre-Trent Hail Mary or a part of the Magnificat, or Martin Luther's Praise of the Mother of God. ( you may also offer a voluntary prayer but ending with of of the following) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Part of the Magnificat
My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
Martin Luther’s Evangelical Praise of the Mother of God
O Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, what great comfort God has shown us in you, by so graciously regarding your unworthiness and low estate. This encourages us to believe that henceforth He will not despise us poor and lowly ones, but graciously regard us also, according to your example. Amen
9
Pray the following prayers. My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; For he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.
10
Holding the crucifix, end with the Invocation and make the sign of the cross; kiss the crucifix(opt.)
Pray an O Blessed Virgin. O Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, what great comfort God has shown us in you, by so graciously regarding your unworthiness and low estate. This encourages us to believe that henceforth He will not despise us poor and lowly ones, but graciously regard us also, according to your example.
11
End with the Sign of the Cross.
You do not actually need a Rosary, You can pray the Rosary on your fingers or by using another method of counting.
If you are nervous about an upcoming event silently say just a decade in your head as you drive there or wait in line for your turn. It is very relaxing to know that Jesus Christ is there for you.
Say a decade for an individual in need. All you need to do is mention the name of the person at the end of the decade. (i.e. Oh Lord I lift up this decade of the rosary for (persons name)
because (certain circumstance that calls for prayer.)
The Mysteries
The five joyful mysteries
The Annunciation (Luke 1: 26-33, 38)
The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-45)
The Nativity (Luke 2: 6-12)
The Presentation (Luke 2: 25-32)
The Finding in the Temple (Luke 2: 41-50)
The five sorrowful mysteries
The Agony in the Garden (Luke 22: 39-46)
The Scourging (Mark 15: 6-15)
The Crowning with Thorns (John 19: 1-8)
The Carrying of the Cross (John 19: 16-22)
The Crucifixion (John 19: 25-30)
The five glorious mysteries
The Resurrection (Mark 16: 1-7)
The Ascension (Luke 24: 45-53)
The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-7, 11)
The Communion of Saints (1 Cor. 12: 23-27)
The Heavenly Jerusalem (Rev. 21: 1-4, 22-27)
The Mysteries of Light ( Luminous)
The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
God proclaims that Jesus is his beloved Son.
The Wedding Feast at Cana
At Mary’s request, Jesus performs his first miracle.
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
Jesus calls all to conversion and service to the Kingdom.
The Transfiguration of Jesus
Jesus is revealed in glory to Peter, James, and John.
The Institution of the Eucharist
Jesus offers his Body and Blood at the Last Supper.
The Church traditionally prays certain mysteries on specific days of the week, as follows:
Monday: Joyful Mystery.
Tuesday: Sorrowful Mystery.
Wednesday: Glorious Mystery.
Thursday: Luminous Mystery.
Friday: Sorrowful Mystery.
Saturday: Joyful Mystery.
Sunday: Glorious Mystery.