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Gracious God, You Send Great Blessings

Gracious God, You send great blessings

Gracious God, You Send Great Blessings is a hymn text by Jaroslav J. Vajda (1978) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Found in CW21 752, elw 716, lsb 782, lw 462. Sung to WOODWORTH.

The hymn embodies Lutheran gratitude theology, rooted in the recognition that all blessings flow from God's grace rather than human merit or works. It connects daily stewardship and thanksgiving to the doctrine of justification, encouraging believers to respond to God's mercy with faithful discipleship.

History & Background

Written by Jaroslav Vajda in 1978, this hymn was first published in Lutheran Worship (1982) and has since appeared in major Lutheran hymnals including ELW and LSB. The text reflects Vajda's characteristic poetic style and theological depth in addressing contemporary Christian life.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Christian Worship: Hymnal — 752
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 716
  • Lutheran Service Book — 782
  • Lutheran Worship — 462

Bulletin Note

Written by Jaroslav Vajda in 1978, this hymn roots everyday gratitude in Lutheran theology, teaching that all blessings—temporal and spiritual—reveal God's unmerited grace and call forth our joyful discipleship.

Preaching Connection

This hymn transforms gratitude from mere sentiment into Gospel response: it shows how the doctrine of justification by grace through faith naturally overflows into faithful stewardship and witness.

Background Research

AI-assisted draft This background note was researched with AI from published hymnal sources and has not yet been checked line by line. Please verify details such as dates before relying on them.

LSB 782 (Hymn of the Day for Proper 13, Year C). Gregory J. Wismar (b. 1946; see LSB 772). While the LSB hymn list was being set, the committee noticed the Stewardship section had no entirely new texts, and Wismar agreed to write one that included stewardship of creation as well as of time and treasure. The Hymnal Subcommittee changed the last line from 'Praise be Yours through time and space' to 'Praise be Yours in ev'ry place'. Stanza 1 echoes Lam 3:22–23 (mercies new every morning); stanza 2 God's giving since creation, as in Luther's explanation of the First Article.

Sources: LCMS Worship, The Word in Song: Hymn of the Day Studies (Charles Gustafson).

In the Church Year

Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Proper 13

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Proper 20 (1×)
  • Proper 24 (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

Themes

God's mercy and grace Faithful stewardship Daily provision God's constancy Human gratitude

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