“Lord Speak To Us, That We May Speak” (ELW 676)
Devotion
Lord, speak to us, that we may speak
in living echoes of your tone;
as you have sought, so let us seek
your straying children, lost and lone.
Oh, lead us, Lord, that we may lead
the wand'ring and the wav'ring feet;
oh, feed us, Lord, that we may feed
your hung'ring ones with manna sweet.
Oh, teach us, Lord, that we may teach
the precious truths which you impart;
and wing our words, that they may reach
the hidden depths of many a heart.
Oh, fill us with your fullness, Lord,
until our very hearts o'erflow
in kindling thought and glowing word,
your love to tell, your praise to show.
The readings this week have found a common denominator for me in the hymn selected for this day—from Solomon's outstretched arms before the altar, to the psalmists' exhortation to sing new songs, to the epistle’s declaration of the power of divine revelation, all culminating as it were in the words and deeds of Jesus in Luke 7. Invocation, exhortation, declaration and the life giving words of Jesus all lead us appropriately to the words of this hymn: Lord, speak to us. Speak in living echoes of thy tone.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, fill us with your fullness until our very hearts o'erflow in kindling thought and glowing word, thy love to tell, thy praise to show. Amen.