Vespers - 24 March 2019
(Tonight's prayers are guided by the ancient 6th Century hymn written by Venantius Fortunatus, Pange, lingua, gloriosi proelium" in the Trinity Hymnal (rev. ed.) at #243, "Praise the Savior, Now and Ever")
“Praise
the Savior now and ever; praise him, all beneath the skies; prostrate
lying, suffering, dying, on the cross a sacrifice. Victory gaining,
life obtaining, now in glory he doth rise!” O
sympathizing Jesus, who saw many men, women, girls and boys famished, grieving,
oppressed, damaged or broken and had compassion on them; please have compassion
on these... Draw them into your victory and life, refreshed and refurbished. O Lord, hear our prayer.
“Man’s work faileth,
Christ's availeth; he is all our righteousness. He, our Savior, has
forever set us free from dire distress. Through his merit we
inherit light and peace and happiness.” Give your aid to those who are finding
themselves beat up and beat down, distressed and depressed, shamed and shaken…
Just as you raised the teenage son of the widow of Nain and gave him back to
her when she despaired of any help or hope for the future, may these find your
warm hand bracing and bolstering them, giving them help and hope in the days to
come. O Lord, hear our prayer.
“Sin's bonds severed,
we're delivered; Christ has bruised the serpent's head. Death no
longer is the stronger; hell itself is captive led. Christ has risen
from death's prison; o'er the tomb he light has shed.” Oh saving Jesus! There
are loved ones in our lives, among our friends, and amid our foes, who seem
dominated by sin, seduction and the serpent. Hear us as we silently cry out
their names to you with weeping hearts… Sever their sin; crush the serpent
under their feet; raise them up that they may sing all their days: “Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in
sin and nature's night; Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray, I woke, the
dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went
forth and followed Thee”! O Lord, hear our prayer.
“For his favor, praise
forever unto God the Father sing. Praise the Savior, praise him
ever, Son of God, our Lord and King. Praise the Spirit; through
Christ's merit he doth us salvation bring.” Ah, Savior! May it be
that our lives, our whole lives, will be filled to overflowing with gratitude,
doxology, and Spirit-filled gladness. O Lord, hear our prayer.
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