Chapter IV: Part 4

Come, Thou mighty God, and comfort the weak, teach the miserable Thy way, help those also who have fallen, put those aright who err, hold them with Thy right hand. Come, O Thou eternal Light, Salvation and Comfort, be our Light in darkness, be our Salvation in life, be our Comfort in death, and lead us upon the straight path unto life everlasting, in order that we may praise, extol and glorify Thee, O Holy Ghost, together with our heavenly Father and His beloved Son, our only Saviour, with truly new tongues on the true day of Pentecost in heaven for ever and ever. Amen.

13. Prayer on the Festival of the Holy Trinity.

O Thou incomprehensible, eternal God, Thou King of kings, and Lord of lords, Thou, who only hast immortality and dwellest in the light which no man can approach unto, we thank Thee in humility of heart, that Thou didst come forth out of Thy light and reveal Thyself as one God in three persons. But because this exalted mystery of the holy Trinity transcends all our conception and understanding, do Thou Thyself bring our reason, which thinks itself to be wise, into captivity to Thy obedience, and do not permit its foolishness to set itself against Thy wisdom. But do Thou impress upon our hearts the living and believing knowledge, that Thou art Three and One, in order that we may steadfastly preserve this truth as a precious treasure against all error, and with the deepest humility may worship Thee, O Triune God, with equal honor, according to Thy revelation.

Give us, O holy Father, a knowledge of Thee, that Thou comest from no one, but didst beget Thy Son from eternity and together with Him lettest the Holy Spirit proceed from Thee; but also how Thou didst give Thyself to us as our Father, in order that we might, in childlike obedience and confidence, consecrate unto Thee every thing in us that is Thy work. Eternal Son of God, Lord Jesus Christ, reveal Thyself unto us also; how Thou wast begotten from eternity by Thy heavenly Father as the brightness of His glory and as the image of His essence, Light of Light, very God of very God; how Thou out of love to us didst become our brother and didst redeem us with Thy obedience, suffering and death, that we might in Thee learn to know the Father aright, and through Thee come to Him, and also enjoy the fruits of Thy salvation, here in righteousness and holiness, hereafter in the communion of Thy glory. Lord God Holy Ghost, put Thy light into our souls, in order that we may know how Thou proceedest as the essential Breath from the Father and the Son from eternity, as the true God and as a true person, also how Thou laborest faithfully at the work of our sanctification. O continue the same in power, to enlighten, purify, comfort and keep us, and to urge us to do all that is good, in order that we may through Thy operation at last appear altogether holy and pure before the throne of Thy glory.

To Thee, O Thou holy Trinity, be ascribed, by us and all creatures, praise, honor, glory and thanks to all eternity, for Thy eternal majesty and glory which Thou hast revealed unto us in Thy Word, and for all the grace and benefits with which Thou hast blessed us. Amen.

14. Prayer on the Day of John the Baptist.

Merciful God and Father in heaven, to Thee I give the humblest thanks with heart and lips, that Thou didst so mercifully visit us poor human beings through the giving of Thy dearest Son, and didst raise up our Lord Jesus as a horn of salvation in Thy church, in order that we should lay hold of the same in true faith, receive comfort, joy and salvation from the same, and sustain ourselves by it in danger and in death. Equal thanks do I owe Thee, Lord Jesus, Thou day-spring from on high, that Thou didst so gloriously enlighten, through Thy appearing, us poor, blind people who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, and didst direct our feet upon the way of divine peace. No less do I thank Thee, O God Holy Ghost, that Thou didst raise up John as a prophet of the Highest, and didst give through him the knowledge of salvation which consists in the forgiveness of sins. O holy Trinity, give me Thy grace, that I may worthily acknowledge such great benefits, and be thankful to Thee always for the same, not only in words, but also in a Christian life, and serve Thee all the days of my life in holiness and righteousness, which are pleasing to Thee, until in the land of eternity I shall behold Thee face to face, and sing, with the assembly of the chosen, the never-ending hymns of praise and thanks. Amen.

15. Prayer on the Day of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary.

Gracious God, heavenly Father, how great is Thy grace, how unsearchable Thy mercy toward me, a poor sinner! Thou didst send Thy only Son and permit Him to become a true man, in order that I might, through the blessed fruit of the womb of a virgin, receive the divine blessing, and be and remain one of the blessed of the Lord. For such Thy great kindness I give Thee hearty thanks, and humbly beseech Thee at the same time, that Thou wouldst be pleased to enkindle my heart with the fire of the Holy Spirit, in order that my soul may also magnify Thee, and my spirit rejoice at all times in my Saviour. O why should I not magnify Thee with due praise, how could my spirit refrain from rejoicing? Thou, kind God, hast done great things for me, not only in my creation and preservation, but also in the salvation of my soul, which Thy dearest Son Jesus Christ snatched from death, with which He united Himself, and which He has promised to love eternally. O Lord, continue to look upon me with the eyes of Thy mercy, as Thou didst look upon the Virgin Mary, and permit Thy grace to be ever with me, and I shall glorify and praise Thee forever and ever. Amen.

16. Prayer on St. Michael's Day.

O thou faithful God! Lover, Protector and Preserver of the human race, Thou Lord of Hosts, unto whom thousand thousands minister, and before whom ten thousand times ten thousand stand, by whom all things were created, both the visible and the invisible, the thrones and dominions; how great is Thy love to men, that from their infancy Thou hast ordered to be with them Thy holy angels, these constant, humble, friendly, God-loving, obedient, true, good spirits, these beautifully resplendent, heavenly flaming fires, these strong heroes, these holy watchmen, who encamp round about us that fear Thy name, who always behold the face of our Father in heaven, and stand before Thy throne; by means of whom Thou dost protect the three estates which Thou Thyself hast ordained on earth. O God, what is man, that Thou art thus mindful of him! We render unto Thee everlasting praise and thanks for Thy goodness, that Thou hast sent forth the ministering spirits, to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. We pray Thee, give Thy angels charge over us, to keep us in all our ways, to bear us up in their hands, lest we dash our foot against a stone; that we may tread upon the lion and adder, and trample under our feet the young lion and the dragon. Drive away from us all evil spirits, which are murderers and liars from the beginning. Protect us against their anger and rage, their lies and blasphemies, their cunning and deceit, that they may not sow their tares among the wheat in our hearts. Restrain the lying spirits in the mouth of all false prophets, the murderous spirit in all tyrants, the spirit of pride and avarice in the family. Let Thy holy angels always accompany us like Jacob, protect us like the prophet Elisha, bring us bread and water and furnish us with fiery horse and chariot like Elias, let them give unto us wholesome counsel and comfort. Let them be with us in our tribulation, as they were with the three men in the fiery furnace and with Daniel in the lion's den; let them deliver us, and lead us out, from all our troubles, as they led out Lot from burning Sodom, Peter from the prison, Paul from the shipwreck. Let our house and land, our children and all that we possess, be protected by Thy holy angels, as was the house of Job, that the enemy may not molest us. Let us live in Thy fear, love Thy Word and Gospel, into which the angels desire to look. Work true repentance in our hearts, that the angels in heaven may rejoice over us. Kindle in us fervent prayer and praise of Thy name, that we may perform an angel's office and sing with them: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth. And finally let also our souls be carried by angels into Abraham's bosom, and in the resurrection on that day make us like unto the holy angels, that we may be in their society. Amen.

17. Prayer on the Festival of the Reformation.

Lord Jesus Christ, who didst come into the world to call sinners to repentance and to enlighten all men unto life eternal, we praise Thee with our whole heart, and extol Thy great goodness and mercy, that Thou didst not only enter into this place and into this church and congregation with Thy divine Word and holy Sacraments, and didst purge out the leaven of papistic doctrine and idolatry, but that Thou hast also redeemed us poor sinners from the kingdom of darkness, hast called us into the light of Thy holy Gospel, and hast transplanted us into Thy kingdom of grace.

O Lord Jesus, we are not worthy of all Thy goodness and faithfulness, yet we pray Thee with humble hearts, that Thou wouldst continue among us Thy grace, with Thy divine Word and holy Sacraments, that Thy holy name may be known by us, that it alone may be feared and honored by us, and we all may live, and serve Thee, according to Thy divine pleasure. And what we have done amiss against Thee and Thy holy Word, by not having been obedient to the Gospel, do Thou, Lord Jesus Christ, graciously pardon, and do not on account of our sin take from us this saving treasure, but preserve it unadulterated unto us and unto our posterity. Yea, Lord Jesus, preserve unto us Thy Word, for it is the joy and comfort of our hearts.

Guard and defend us and Thy whole Christian, especially Thy Evangelical Lutheran, Church against all error, unbelief, and the pernicious doctrine of others. Restrain all enemies, persecutors and blasphemers, and be Thou our refuge, our strength, our shield and buckler, that the gates of hell may not prevail against us. Especially do we beseech Thee, O Lord our Saviour, that Thou wouldst enter into the house of our heart, that Thou wouldst enlighten us by Thy Holy Spirit, purify our hearts and graciously grant, that we may walk worthy of the Gospel, and remain steadfast in the truth once known and confessed, unto our end. O Lord Jesus, let our souls obtain Thy salvation, that we may be saved through Thee and in Thy kingdom behold Thee and Thy great glory forever and ever. Amen, Lord Jesus, Amen.

18. Prayer on Church-Consecration Day.

Lord God, our heavenly Father, who dost through Thy Word and Thy Holy Spirit gather for Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, a church and holy congregation in our midst, and hast hitherto preserved pure doctrine and the true worship of God against the devil and all enemies, yea, against the gates of hell: do Thou, O good and faithful God, continue to preserve unto us this dear and precious treasure, do Thou also make our descendants partakers of the same, so that we, instructed in saving knowledge, may grow and increase, until we shall receive an everlasting habitation in the kingdom of Thy Son, and be saved through Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be praise and glory forever and ever. Amen.

19. Prayer on Harvest Festival.

O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy and truth endure forever. Let Israel now say, that His mercy endureth forever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that His mercy endureth forever. Let them now that fear the Lord say, that His mercy endureth forever. O, how we feared the destruction of the precious grain in the fields! O, how we took thought and troubled ourselves, lest the bread which God has yet given us in these hard times might be snatched away before our eyes and out of our hands! But it is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not; they are new every morning. Now all, to God give thanks, who has everywhere done marvelous things, who has preserved us alive from our birth, and has done countless favors. May He grant us a joyful heart, and in these times continual peace in Israel, and that His grace remain always with us, and uphold us, as long as we live. O God, give peace to Thy land, prosperity and salvation to every estate. Lord God, heavenly Father, who dost create holy courage, good counsel and good works, give to Thy servants peace, which the world cannot give, so that our hearts may cling to Thy commandment, and that we may, by Thy protection, live through our days quietly and securely against our enemies, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our Lord. Amen.

And now, O God, we know and confess with grateful hearts, that Thou hast given us the early and the latter rain in due season, and hast faithfully and annually protected our harvests. Thou hast watered our ridges abundantly: Thou hast settled our furrows: Thou makest it soft with showers: Thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou hast prospered our grain, and tilled our land. Thanks, praise, glory and honor be unto God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

We also pray Thee, O our God and Father, from the depth of our hearts, that Thou wouldst give unto us all Thy Holy Spirit, so that we may receive with thanksgiving what Thou bestowest upon us, and may sanctify it with Thy Word and prayer, that it may be employed and used to Thy glory and for our temporal support, for the benefit of churches and schools, and of our needy neighbor, and that thereby the shameful and hurtful worship of mammon may be most diligently avoided. Protect this place and also the entire country against war and danger, against dangerous and hostile invasion and destruction. Give to our government the spirit of wisdom, of counsel, of power and strength. Confirm and preserve peace among us. Let us pass the days of our earthly life in true knowledge of Thy holy name and in Thy fear, also in health, peace and union, and finally grant to us all everlasting salvation, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

20. Prayer on Mission Festival.

Almighty God, Thou who created the world and all that is therein, and hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth: Thou who art not far from every one of us; for in Thee we live and move and have our being: Thou, who in times past didst suffer the gentiles to walk in their own ways, but now commandest all men everywhere to repent and with Thy grace doest visit their hearts.

Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, that Thy salvation may everywhere abound, and the glory of Thy name extend itself unto the ends of the earth. Look down from Thy height upon the misery of so many nations, who yet sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, who are ignorant of their divine origin, and lie under the cruel tyranny of satan. The Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, hath not yet risen upon them. They walk in the vanity of their minds. Their reason is clouded because of great darkness. They are estranged from the life that is of God, through the ignorance that is in them and through the blindness of their heart. The god of this world hath blinded their understanding, and the common enemy of souls has taken them captive according to his will.

Grant, merciful God, that by the misfortune of others we may realize our own blessedness, and bewail the lamentable state of blindness, with which Thou hast smitten the gentiles, and worthily apply the greater light so graciously presented unto us to so much the greater holiness. O do Thou finally suffer the light of the Gospel to rise unto those, who are yet far from Christ, the true Sun, and who have hitherto altogether groped in thick darkness of idolatry. Through the loving voice of the Gospel, bring back these scattered sheep into Thy spiritual fold. Grant such shepherds, who will not rule vigorously and harshly over the sheep, nor devour their substance and clothe themselves with their wool; but who, in the spirit of love and gentliness will wait upon the weak, heal the sick, bind up the wounded, bring back the erring, seek the lost, and in walk and life present themselves a living example to the gentiles. And inasmuch as the word of the Gospel, concerning the love of God as revealed in Christ, is the only means to reconcile man with God, and to gather the erring sheep into the fold of Christ, do Thou grant, that all who go forth to proclaim the Gospel unto the heathen, may, with divine wisdom, make known the word of reconciliation, with boldness overcome all hinderances, and disregarding all selfish motives in the discharge of so holy an office, may seek nought but the glory of Thy name, and the extension of the kingdom of heaven. Grant, that they themselves may plainly know and acknowledge the mystery of the cross, as the central point of Evangelical doctrine, may not pretend to know anything among the gentiles, save Christ Jesus and Him crucified, and worthily extol Him to others as the only hope of glory and fountain of salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. Amen.

21. From Caspar Neuman's Substance of all Prayers.

(Thanksgiving.)

Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Thou art the almighty God of heaven and earth, and in Thee we live, move, and have our being. Thou, however, doest desire that man should live by bread, and therefore didst, in the beginning of the world, make the earth fruitful through Thy almighty Word, and after the days of the flood, didst declare that while the earth remaineth seed-time and harvest shall not cease. Behold, Lord, this Thy order, once established, continueth yet, and Thou still doest ever crown the year with Thy goodness. Thou doest cause grass to grow for the cattle and herb for the service of man. Thus Thou bringest bread out of the earth and doest fill our hearts with joy and gladness. Most loving God, how wisely indeed hast Thou ordered all things! How great is Thy goodness toward us, who are not worthy of Thy bread. And how wonderfully infinite Thy omnipotence, when Thou doest increase the little grain which moulders in the earth, into a hundredfold! It is Thy unsearchable wisdom, this Thine unutterable goodness, mercy and omnipotence, which hath again this year visited our land. Men had sowed their seed in hope, but Thou hast hitherto blessed the seed in the fields, and hast moreover permitted us to live to the time, when men everywhere reap and gather into barns what Thou hast given. O Lord, Thou God of riches, all that men harvest is indeed Thine; for we of ourselves can bring forth nothing out of the earth, and be it little or much, it is still more than we have merited. Thanks be also unto Thy holy name for each and every gift, which Thou hast bestowed on our fields during this year. Thou alone art the God, who doest sustain us from the day of our birth, and shower Thy blessings upon us. Wherefore unto Thee alone be all the praise, honor and thanksgiving now and in eternity.

(Petition.)

We beseech Thee, O kind Father, that Thou wouldst not again take from us in Thy wrath, what Thou in Thy grace hast given. Thou Thyself hast said in Thy Word, that rain is not seemly in harvest. So do Thou not permit that the blessings of the fields, which Thou hast hitherto spread out before our eyes, may perish by unfavorable weather. Do Thou also henceforth guard that which has been gathered into barns and garners, against danger by fire and water, against thieves and unfaithful stewards, against usurers and unscrupulous grain-speculators, and against all else that might rob us, or destroy Thy gifts. Moreover let us not forget that all we receive comes from Thee and is Thine. Do Thou likewise help that because of this we may never be discontented with what Thou givest, never uselessly squander aught of it through luxury and wantonness, never lock up any of Thy gifts unmercifully against our needy neighbor through avarice or envy; nor in mistrust against Thee brood over it with cares, as though that which Thou hast given be not sufficient for our wants. Inasmuch as we in future will have need of Thy providing care, do Thou not in Thy wrath let our land remain uncultivated, lest it lie waste and become unfruitful when forsaken. Prevent every thing which might hinder the tilling of the fields after harvest. And, that no years may come, in which man sows but does not reap, do Thou provide that neither frost nor heat, neither floods nor drought, nor destructive insects destroy the seed in the earth by which we in future are to live.

(Prayer.)

Be Thou with us, O gracious loving Father, and preserve unto us our daily bread, which Thou during the present harvest doest everywhere distribute. Above all grant favorable weather and constant sunshine, that the ripening grain may all fully mature, so that which yet remains in the fields may be stored away in good condition. Bless that which has been gathered into barns, that it may be prepared for our daily use, increase it while passing through our hands in preparing it, may it be blessed to our nourishment; grant us life and health, peace and quietude, to enjoy all that Thou hast given in such a manner, that it may not only give strength to the body, but also be good and wholesome to the soul, so that Thy temporal blessing may thus in manifold ways redound to our welfare. When Thou hast heard these our petitions and prayers, then remind us also of our obligations, and grant that we acknowledge all our substance to be the gift of Thy goodness, that we heartily thank Thee for it, savingly use it, serve our bodies with it, as is meet, willingly impart of it to others, and finally devote and use all we have received of Thee alone unto Thy honor. Do Thou continue in future to bless our land with Thy gracious visitation, improve and enrich it with great fertility. Give warmth to the dust of the earth. Refresh the fields with fruitful showers, water their furrows, moisten the plowed ground, and do Thou prosper the grain to be sown therein, that the land may continue to yield forth its increase, the valleys be covered with corn, so that we may shout for joy and sing Thy praise forevermore.

(Intercession.)

Yea, Thou art God, Who Daily Openest Thy liberal hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. Therefore do Thou during this season of harvest provide for all people, and let every one receive his proportion of food. Remind each one of his duties, that the indolent may not sleep in time of harvest and neglect the necessary interests of himself and his household. But do Thou likewise grant strength to those, who in the sweat of their face gather their daily bread; refresh them when they are weary, and permit each one with his household to enjoy in good health what his fields have produced, that we all may be truly glad because of Thy benefits. But do Thou also help that the rich may not depend upon their barn bursting with plenty, and thereby forget that their souls may be taken from them unawares, and another obtain possession of that which they have gathered. Remember the poor, who have nothing to harvest. Grant that others may help gather also for them, and do Thou thyself recompense those who permit them to glean ears in their fields, or who impart unto them of their abundance. In short, where there is but little, do Thou bless the small supply, that it may be sufficient for the wants to whom it is given, and where Thou hast given a large supply, do Thou so control it, that it may not be abused unto evil. Preserve tranquility and peace in all lands, that strangers come not unto us and devour our harvests. Do Thou everywhere guard against failures, hard times and famine. And do Thou also ward off from us everything which might render it difficult for us to obtain the necessary things for the support of temporal life. On the other hand, do Thou permit every one to enjoy what Thou hast allotted to him, that rich and poor alike may acknowledge and praise Thee for evermore. Finally, O Thou Saviour of all men, we ourselves are the spiritual stewards in Thy church, and Thou art the Lord of the harvest; we therefore pray Thee to send laborers into Thy harvest, and let Thy harvest among men likewise become great in all places. Grant that good seed may everywhere be sown, and pure doctrine be preached among all christians. Protect the world against the tares, which the devil is busy in scattering forth. Convert those who sow in unrighteousness and reap in sorrow, or sow unto the flesh and of the flesh reap destruction. Sanctify us all together, that we may be of one mind in Christ, and may sow unto the spirit, and of the spirit once reap eternal life. Yea, when once the entire world shall be sufficiently ripe for the last harvest, then grant that we all, as pure wheat, may be bound into sheaves and gathered into Thy garners, and be preserved in heaven unto eternal joys. There shall we as those whom Thou hast promised, reap without ceasing what we have sown here, and rejoice as they that rejoice in harvest, with unspeakable joy. Hear us, O God, and grant us all what we ask, for the sake of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

APPENDIX II.
HYMNS.

Morning Hymn.

Gott des Himmels und der Erden

God who madest earth and heaven,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Who the day and night hast given,
Sun and moon and starry host,
All things wake at thy command,
Held in being by thy hand.

2. God, I thank thee! In thy keeping
Safely have I slumbered here;
Thou hast guarded me while sleeping
From all danger, pain, and fear:
And the cunning of my foe
Hath not wrought my overthrow.

3. Let the night of sin that shrouded
All my life, with this depart;
Shine on me with beams unclouded,
Jesus! In thy loving heart
Is my help and hope alone,
For the evil I have done.

4. Help me as the morn is breaking,
In the spirit to arise,
So from careless sloth awaking,
That when o'er the aged skies
Shall the morn of Doom appear,
I may see it free from fear.

5. Lead me, and forsake me never,
Guide my wandrings by thy Word;
As thou hast been, be thou ever
My defence, my refuge, Lord.
Never safe except with thee,
Thou my faithful Guardian be.

6. O my God, I now commend me
Wholly to thy mighty hand;
All the powers that thou dost lend me
Let me use at thy command;
Thou my boast, my strength divine,
Keep me with thee, I am thine.

7. Thus afresh, with each new morning
Save me from the power of sin,
Hourly let me feel thy warning
Ruling, prompting me within,
Till my final rest be come,
And thine Angel bear me home.

Evening Hymn.

Nun sich der Tag geendet hat.

Since now the day hath reached its close,
And sun-light shines no more,
In sleep the toil-worn find repose,
And all who wept before.

2. But thou, my God, no rest doth know,
No slumber locks thy sight,
Thou hatest darkness as thy foe,
Since thou, thyself, art Light.

3. O Lord, I pray, remember me
In this beclouded night,
And grant to me most graciously
The shield of thy great might.

4. And foil thou satan's purpose fell
Through thy swift angel-arm;
Then free from care I'll rest me well
And safe from every harm.

5. I feel indeed through guilt undone,
It cries aloud to thee;
But, yet, the mercy of thy Son
Hath full atoned for me.

6. Him I present thee as my Bail,
As suppliant at thy feet;
With such Assurance I'll not fail
Before thy Judgment-seat.

7. And hereupon my eyes I close,
And fall asleep heart-glad,
My God doth watch o'er my repose,
Why should my heart be sad?

8. Depart vain thoughts and fancies, flee!
Draw not my mind abroad,
My heart, as temple, shall now be
Devoted to my God.

9. And thus I live and die to thee,
Thou Sabaoth strong, indeed!
In life and death thou helpest me
From every fear and need!

10. Should this night prove the last for me
In this sad vale of tears,
Then lead me, Lord, in heaven to thee
And thy elect compeers.

Hymns of Cross and Consolation.

Wer nur den lieben Gott laesst walten.

If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He'll give thee strength whate'er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God's unchanging love
Builds on the Rock that naught can move.

2. What can these anxious cares avail thee,
These never-ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help, if thou bewail thee
O'er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press
The heavier for our bitterness.

3. Only be still and wait His leisure
In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whate'er thy Father's pleasure
And all-deserving love hath sent,
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known
To Him who chose us for His own.

4. He knows the time for joy, and truly
Will send it when He sees it meet,
When He has tried and purged thee throughly
And finds thee free from all deceit,
He comes to thee all unaware
And makes thee own His loving care.

5. Nor think amid the heat of trial
That God hath cast thee off unheard,
That he whose hopes meet no denial
Must surely be of God preferred;
Time passes and much change doth bring,
And sets a bound to everything.

6. All are alike before the Highest.
'Tis easy to our God, we know,
To raise thee up though low thou liest,
To make the rich man poor and low;
True wonders still by Him are wrought
Who setteth up and brings to naught.

7. Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving,
So do thine own part faithfully,
And trust His Word, though undeserving,
Thou yet shalt find it true for thee;
God never yet forsook at need
The soul that trusted Him indeed.

Warum sollt ich mich denn graemen?

Why should sorrow ever grieve me?
Christ is near,
What can here
E'er of Him deprive me?
Who can rob me of my heaven
That God's Son,
As mine own,
To my faith hath given?

2. Naked was I and unswathed
When on earth
At my birth
My first breath I breathed.
Naked hence shall I betake me,
When I go
From earth's woe,
And my breath forsake me.

3. Nought, not e'en the live I'm living,
Is mine own,
God alone
All to me is giving.
Must I then His own restore Him?
Though bereft
Of each gift,
Still shall I adore Him.

4. Though a heavy cross I'm bearing,
And my heart
Feels the smart,
Shall I be despairing?
God can help me, who doth send it,
He doth know
All my woe
And how best to end it.

5. God oft gives me days of gladness,
Shall I grieve
If He give
Seasons too of sadness?
God is good and tempers ever
Every hurt,
Me desert
Wholly can He never.

6. Though united world and devil
All their power
Can no more
Do than mock and cavil.
Let derision now employ them,
Christ e'en here
Will appear
And 'fore all destroy them.

7. True believers shrinking never,
Where they dwell
Should reveal
Their true colors ever.
When approaching death would scare them,
Still should they
Patient stay
And with courage bear them.

8. Death can never kill us even,
But relief
From all grief
To us then is given.
It doth close life's mournful story,
Make a way
That we may
Pass to heavenly glory.

9. There I'll reap enduring pleasure,
After woe
Here below
Suffer'd in large measure.
Lasting good we find here never,
All the earth
Deameth worth
Vanisheth forever.

10. What is all that life possesseth?
But a hand
Full of sand
That the heart distresseth.
Noble gifts that tire me never,
Christ so free
There gives me
To enjoy forever.

11. Shepherd! Lord! joy's fountain ever,
Thou art mine,
I am thine,
No one can us sever.
I am thine, because thou gavest
Life and blood
For my good,
By thy death me savest.

12. Thou'rt mine, for I love and own thee,
Ne'er shall I,
Light of joy,
From my heart dethrone thee.
Let me, let me soon behold thee
Face to face,
Thy embrace
May it soon enfold me.

Hilf, Helfer, hilf in Angst und Noth.

Help, helper, help in fear and need,
Have mercy, faithful God, give heed!
I know thou lov'st me still as thine,
Though 'gainst me world and hell combine.

2. I trust in thee--whom I adore;
If I have thee, what need I more?
And, my Lord Jesus, this I laud:
That thou art mine, my Saviour-God.

3. This blest assurance cheers my heart,
To bide thy time--till clouds depart;
I'll rest the while me on thee, then,
Cry: Helper, help! and say: Amen!

Christian Life.

Herr, wie du willt, so schicks mit mir.

Lord, as thou wilt, be it with me,
No other wish I cherish,
I, living, dying, seek but thee,
O Lord, let me not perish;
Let but thy grace ne'er from me part,
Else as thou wilt, grant patient heart,
Thy will the best is ever.

2. Grant honor, truth, and self-control,
And love thy Word to ponder,
From errors false preserve my soul;
And grant, both here and yonder,
What will but tend to blessed days,
Keep far all wrong and crooked ways
From all my life and doings.

3. When once, according to thy will,
I pass the bourne of sadness,
Then let thy grace my bosom fill,
That I may go with gladness;
My body, soul, commend I thee,
O Lord, a blessed end grant me
Through Jesus Christ, yea, Amen.

Hope in Death.

Wenn mein Stuendlein vorhanden ist.

When once in turn my hour is here,
And I shall hence betake me,
Then, O Lord Jesus, keep thou near,
With help do not forsake me;
My soul then at my final end
Into thy hand I do commend:
Thou wilt, Lord, safely guard it.

2. My sins will press my heart with care,
My conscience will accuse me,
For they are many, yet despair
With doubts shall not confuse me;
I will remember, Lord, thy death,
And wounds, and words of thy last breath:
Yea, these will then sustain me.

8. Lord, of thy body I am part:
This membership doth cheer me,
'Mid woe and throes of death, my heart
Inseparate is near thee.
And though I die, I die to thee,
Eternal life hast thou for me,
Lord, by thy dying purchased.

4. Since thou art risen from the tomb,
I shall not therein languish;
Thy Ascent cheers me in the gloom,
Doth even death-fear vanquish;
For where thou art, there shall I be,
That I may ever live with thee:
Hence I depart rejoicing.

5. 'Tis well! I part, by Jesus blest;
To Him will I betake me:
Thus fall asleep and gently rest,
No mortal can awake me.
And Christ, the Lord, to whom I flee,
Will open heaven's door to me,
Lead me to life eternal.

Glad Eternity.

Wachet auf! ruft uns die Stimme.

Wake, awake, for night is flying,
The watchmen on the heights are crying;
Awake, Jerusalem, at last!
Midnight hears the welcome voices,
And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
Come forth, ye virgins, night is past!
The bridegroom comes, awake,
Your lamps with gladness take;
Hallelujah!
And for His marriage feast prepare,
For you must go to meet Him there.

2. Zion hears the watchmen singing,
All her heart with joy is springing,
She wakes, she rises from her gloom;
For her Lord comes down all-glorious,
The strong in grace, in truth victorious,
Her star is risen, her light is come!
Ah come, thou blessed Lord,
O Jesus, Son of God,
Hallelujah!
We follow till the halls we see
Where thou hast bid us sup with thee.

3. Now let all the heavens adore thee,
And men and angels sing before thee,
With harp and cymbal's clearest tone;
Of one pearl each shining portal,
Where we are with the choir immortal
Of angels round thy dazzling throne;
Nor eye hath seen, nor ear
Hath yet attained to hear
What there is ours,
But we rejoice and sing to thee
Our hymn of joy eternally.

Prayers before Meat.

The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord: Thou givest them their meat in due season, Thou openest Thy liberal hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. Amen.

Come, Lord Jesus, be Thou our guest,
And let all Thou giv'st us be blest. Amen.

We thank Thee, dear Son, that Thou hast again opened Thy bountiful hand to supply our wants; grant that we may receive this food with thanksgiving and gratitude and in Thy fear, and grant, O Lord! that whatsoever we do, whether we eat or drink, all may be done to Thy name's honor and glory, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.

O Lord God, heavenly Father, bless unto us these Thy gifts, which of Thy tender kindness Thou hast bestowed upon us, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayers after Meat.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. He giveth food to all flesh. His mercies are new unto us every morning, for his faithfulness eudureth unto all generations. Amen.

We give thanks to Thee, O God our Father, for all Thy benefits, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with Thee liveth and reigneth forever and ever. Amen.

We return thanks unto Thee, O Lord! that Thou hast again vouchsafed to feed these perishable bodies, and we beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst also feed our souls with the bread of eternal life. Amen.

End of Project Gutenberg's The Little Treasure of Prayers, by Anonymous

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