Saturday prior to Proper 17

 

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Sunday’s hymn of the day, Be Strong in the Lord (LSB 665) exhorts us to make full use of the armor of God, that we may withstand the wiles of the devil and our sinful nature. Having been equipped by our Lord, we can be certain of the victory.

1 Be strong in the Lord
In armour of light,
With helmet and sword,
With shield for the fight;
On prayer be dependent,
Be belted and shod,
In breastplate resplendent:
The armour of God.

2 Integrity gird
You round to impart
The truth of His Word
As truth in your heart;
His righteousness wearing
As breastplate of mail,
His victory sharing,
Be strong to prevail.

3 With eagerness shod
Stand firm in your place,
Or go forth for God
With news of His grace;
No foe shall disarm you
Nor force you to yield,
No arrow can harm you
With faith as your shield. 

4 Though Satan presume
To test you and try,
In helmet and plume
Your head shall be high;
Beset by temptation
Be true to your Lord,
Your helmet salvation
And Scripture your sword.

5 So wield well your blade,
Rejoice in its pow'rs,
Fight on undismayed
For Jesus is ours!
Then in Him victorious
Your armour lay down,
To praise, ever glorious,
His cross and His crown.

Collect for Pentecost 15—Lord of power and might, Author and Giver of all good things, graft into our hearts the love of Your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A Prayer before confession and absolution: Almighty, everlasting God, for our many sins we justly deserve eternal condemnation. In Your mercy You sent Your dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who won for us forgiveness of sins and everlasting salvation. Grant us a true confession that, dead to sin, we may be raised up by Your life-giving absolution. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may be ever watchful and live true and godly lives in Your service; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Sources:

1. Go into all the world, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

2. Collects from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis