“Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord” (ELW 395, verse 3)
Devotion
Come, holy Fire, comfort true,
grant us the will your work to do
and in your service to abide;
let trials turn us not aside.
Lord, by your pow'r prepare each heart
and to our weakness strength impart,
that bravely here we may contend,
through life and death to you, our Lord, ascend.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Happy Pentecost! Happy fiftieth day of Easter! Today's hymn reminds us that the Spirit is light, guide, teacher, revealer, faith creator, fire, comforter. The Spirit is the one called alongside us, the advocate, the Paraclete.
Again Martin Luther teaches us in his explanation of the Third Article of the Apostles' Creed: The Spirit "calls, gathers, enlightens and makes holy the whole Christian church...and keeps it in the faith. Daily in this Christian church the Holy Spirit abundantly forgives all sins—mine and those of all believers. On the last day the Holy Spirit will raise me and all the dead and give us eternal life. This is most certainly true."
Prayer
O God, on this day you open the hearts of your faithful people by sending into us your Holy Spirit. Direct us by the light of that Spirit that we may have a right judgment in all things and rejoice at all times in your presence and peace. Amen.