“O God, My Faithful God” ELW 806 and LBW 504
1 O God, my faithful God,
true fountain ever flowing,
without whom nothing is,
all perfect gifts bestowing:
give me a healthy frame,
and may I have within
a conscience free from blame,
a soul unstained by sin.
2 Give me the strength to do
with ready heart and willing
whatever you command,
my calling here fulfilling –
to do it when I ought,
with all my might – and bless
whatever I have wrought,
for you must give success.
3 Keep me from saying words
that later need recalling;
guard me, lest idle speech
may from my lips be falling;
but when, within my place,
I must and ought to speak
then to my words give grace,
lest I offend the weak.
4 When dangers gather round,
oh, keep me calm and fearless;
help me to bear the cross
when life seems dark and cheerless;
help me, as you have taught,
to love both great and small,
and, by your Spirit’s might,
to live at peace with all.
Devotion
This hymn was translated by Catherine Winkworth, who, along with John Mason Neale, is commemorated on Sunday. Her clear and down-to-earth translation in this hymn reflects our prayers: to be faithful when tested; to face danger with calm; to love and live in peace with all.
But it’s the third verse that really speaks to daily tasks: “Keep me from saying words that later need recalling … but if I must and ought to speak, then to my words give grace … ” This is what it means to live by the fruits of the Spirit which Paul talks about in Galatians 5. May it be so.
Prayer
Faithful God, bestow on your church wisdom and grace, so that our words and actions might reflect your love in Christ. Amen.