Thursday, June 13, 2013

The Servant in Battle

O Lord,

I bless thee that the issue of the battle

        between thyself and Satan

          has never been uncertain,

          and will end in victory.

Calvary broke the dragon’s head,

   and I contend with a vanquished foe,

     who with all his subtlety and strength

     has already been overcome.

When I feel the serpent at my heel

   may I remember him whose heel was bruised,

     but who, when bruised, broke the devil’s head.



My soul with inward joy extols

     the mighty conqueror.



Heal me of any wounds received

     in the great conflict;

         if I have gathered defilement,

         if my faith has suffered damage,

         if my hope is less than bright,

         if my love is not fervent,

         if some creature-comfort occupies my heart,

         if my soul sinks under pressure of the fight.

O thou whose every promise is balm,

     every touch life,

   draw near to thy weary warrior,

   refresh me, that I may rise again

     to wage the strife,

   and never tire until my enemy is trodden down.

Give me such fellowship with thee

     that I may defy Satan,

       unbelief, the flesh, the world,

   with delight that comes not from a creature,

   and which a creature cannot mar.

Give me a draught of the eternal fountain

   that lieth in thy immutable, everlasting love

     and decree.

Then shall my hand never weaken,

   my feet never stumble,

   my sword never rest,

   my shield never rust,

   my helmet never shatter,

   my breastplate never fall,

     as my strength rests in the power

       of thy might.
Valley of Vision

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