Saturday prior to Lent 1

 

Sunday’s hymn of the day is the ‘Battle Hymn of the Reformation,’ Luther’s great hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (LSB 656). Luther based the hymn on Psalm 46, but the Introit and Psalm of the Day, Psalm 91, also expresses the same idea, that the Lord is a great Fortress and Refuge. We can take rest in Him when we are assaulted by the slings and arrows of the Evil One, for Christ has defeated the devil. He still seems powerful to us, but he is merely in his death throes until the Last Day, when Christ will cast him into the abyss for all eternity.

Prayer of hope of eternal life in Christ: Almighty, everlasting God, Your Son has assured forgiveness of sins and deliverance from eternal death. Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit that our faith in Christ may increase daily and that we may hold fast to the hope that on the Last Day we shall be raised in glory to eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen [1]

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[1] Collect of hope of eternal life in Christ, Lutheran Service Book © Concordia Publishing House, St Louis