Second Sunday in Lent

Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart – Lutheran Service Book #708

1 John 4:19; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17

Our hymn for today is a prayer of sincere faith. It is a prayer often recited on the deathbed of a devout believer. They are the words of faith. These lines can only be recited in faith.   Many are the trials I face Lord. Protect me and guide me through them all! Many are the temptations before me Lord. Give me courage to overcome them. Many are the sorrows and afflictions before me Lord. Give me a merciful heart to help and silence of love where I cannot.  Lord, prepare for me a heart steadfast in love; a soul filled with loving kindness and a spirit of right judgment in every circumstance.

Lord, Thee, I love with all my heart;

I pray Thee, ne’er from me depart,

With tender mercy cheer me.

Earth has no pleasure I would share.

Yea, heav’n itself were void and bare

If Thou, Lord, were not near me.

And should my heart for sorrow break,

My trust in Thee can nothing shake.

Thou are the portion I have sought;

Thy precious blood my soul has bought.

Lord Jesus Christ, my God and Lord, my God and Lord,

Forsake me not! I trust Thy Word.

Lord, let at last Thine angels come, To Abr’ham’s bosom bear me home, That I may die un-fearing; And in its narrow chamber keep My body safe in peaceful sleep Until Thy reappearing. And then from death awaken me. That these mine eyes with joy may see, O Son of God, thy glorious face, My Savior and my fount of grace. Lord Jesus Christ, my prayer attend, my prayer attend, And I will praise thee without end.[1]

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[1] Lutheran Service Book, Lord, The I love with All My Heart stanza 3; © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis