Have you heard all the buzz around an artificial intelligence “chatbot” called Chat GPT in the internet world?  It was launched as a prototype on November 30, 2022, and its capabilities really spread around the world very quickly.  If you type in a question or a phrase, it generates detailed responses and articulate answers across many domains of knowledge.  Its newest model was released just last week on March 14. 

Now, artificial intelligence isn’t perfect, and Wikipedia mentions that it is not altogether factually accurate. But I am amazed at how good it really is! 

I covered the Prayer of the Day recently in a series of weekly Zoom meetings through my church, so I had already done the research.  I wanted to see what Chat GPT would generate on the subject, and so I typed in “What is the Prayer of the Day in the Lutheran Worship Service?”  Here’s what Chat GPT generated:

As an AI language model, I do not have access to live updates and cannot provide information about the specific Prayer of the Day in the current Lutheran worship service. However, I can provide you with some general information about the structure of Lutheran worship services.

Lutheran worship services typically follow a liturgical structure that includes various prayers, readings, hymns, and other elements. One key component of the service is the “Prayer of the Day,” which is also known as the “Collect.” This prayer is typically recited by the pastor or another leader, and it is meant to collect or gather the themes of the day’s readings and focus the congregation’s prayers on those themes.

The Prayer of the Day usually consists of four parts: an address to God, a petition or request, a purpose or goal, and a closing doxology or praise. The specific content of the prayer varies depending on the liturgical season, the theme of the day, and other factors.

If you would like more information about the specific Prayer of the Day for a particular Lutheran worship service, you may want to consult with a local Lutheran church or clergy member.

Wow!  That is pretty well written!  However, I am glad this human can still be of some use, if you would like more information about the Prayer of the Day! 

The Prayer of the Day is read in our church by the assisting minister, after the Hymn of the Praise.  All of the Prayers of the Day are listed at the front of the book of worship (any book of worship, past and present, in the Lutheran church), according to the 3-year lectionary and follow the themes of that particular worship day. 

One correction to Chat GPT’s information about the structure of the Prayer of the Day; it usually consists of five parts, not four, although to be fair to the AI engine, some of the Prayers of the Day omit the second, fourth, or sometimes both from the five parts.  The specific structure (with an example) is:

Address:  O God,

Basis for prayer:  You gave Your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death.

Petition:  Make us to die every day to sin,

Benefit desired:  so that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection;

Conclusion:  through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

I asked Chat GPT “Can you write a Prayer of the Day for the Lutheran worship service?”  Chat GPT returned the following prayer:

Almighty and gracious God, as we gather in your holy name, we ask that you would open our hearts and minds to your word and your will for our lives.

Grant us the grace to hear your voice, the courage to follow your commands, and the wisdom to discern your ways.

Strengthen us in our faith, comfort us in our trials, and guide us in all our ways, that we may live as your faithful people and bear witness to your love and truth in the world.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

What do you think?  Not bad, although I believe that the Prayers of the Day are like beautiful jewels – very focused on a single theme with each word carrying the message clearly and concisely.  Looking at the Chat GPT prayer, we have already “gathered in your holy name” at this point in the service.  There are a LOT of petitions in this prayer, and usually the third “petition part” is a single petition. 

Then I refined my request to Chat GPT, “Can you write a Prayer of the Day about repentance for the Lutheran worship service?” Here it is:

O merciful God, we come before you with repentant hearts, confessing our sins and seeking your forgiveness.

We have strayed from your ways, and we have fallen short of your glory. We ask for your grace and mercy, that we may be reconciled to you and to one another.

Grant us the courage to confess our sins, the humility to seek your forgiveness, and the strength to turn away from sin and to walk in your ways.

By the power of your Holy Spirit, guide us into all truth, and renew in us the joy of your salvation.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Again, a bit “wordy”, but I was impressed that the theme of repentance was woven into Chat GPT’s prayer. 

The Prayer of the Day serves as a transition point from the time of praise in the worship service to the time for Scripture readings.  And I will use this transition point to wrap up today’s blog!  I challenge you to write your own Prayer of the Day as well – it’s a wonderful exercise/discipline to incorporate in your daily prayer life!  May grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love!  Amen.