How to Pray the Lutheran Rosary

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Last Updated: April 30, 2024 Approved

Many 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.

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1
Begin by touching the crucifix and pray The Sign of the Cross.
English: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Latin: In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. 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.
English: 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.^{[1]
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Latin: Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem caeli et terrae. Et in Iesum Christum, Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus, descendit ad inferos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis, ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis, inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. Amen.^{[2]
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On the first large rosary bead, pray for the Our Father.
English: 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.

Latin: Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.
English: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.

Latin: Domine Iesu Christe, Fili Dei, miserere mei, peccatoris.
On the next large bead, pray Glory Be To the Father.
English: 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.

Latin: Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.^{[3]
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- On the first rosary bead, pray the Our Father.
- On each of the next ten beads, pray the Jesus Prayer.
- On the next large bead, pray a Glory Be To The Father.
English: 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.

Latin: Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus Christus. Amen.
English: 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.

Latin: Magnificat anima mea Dominum, et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salvatore meo, quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae. Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes, quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius, et misericordia eius in progenies et progenies timentibus eum.
English: 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.

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Which Lutheran church encourages its members to pray the rosary?

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It's mostly a personal choice, and apparently is practiced/encouraged by some liberal Lutherans. For example, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the USA published something about saying the Lutheran rosary for Lent. But it isn't a common practice in the Lutheran church as a whole.

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What are the mysteries announced while praying the rosary?

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Before praying a specific mystery (Our Father, 10 Hail Mary and Glory), you should announce the mystery that you're going to contemplate and meditate. This is essentially a story to focus on about Jesus and Mary. For instance, to pray for the first sorrowful mystery, say, "The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane," then wait a few seconds before start praying.

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Do Lutherans pray to Mary?

Logan Briscoe

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No. While we believe Mary was a wonderful woman and can be used as an example of strong faith, we do not believe in prayer to her or any other saint. We believe our God does not care about our works but our faith, and that He will listen to our prayers directly - just as well as he would listen to the prayers of Mary.

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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 (person name) because (a certain circumstance that calls for prayer.)

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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.

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You do not actually need a Rosary, you can pray the Rosary on your fingers or by using another method of counting.

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