Faith of Our Fathers (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 813)
1 Faith of our fathers, living still
in spite of dungeon, fire, and sword.
Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy
whene’er we hear that glorious word.
Faith of our fathers, holy faith,
we will be true to you till death.
2 Faith of our mothers, daring faith,
your work for Christ is love revealed,
spreading God’s word from pole to pole,
making love known and freedom real.
Faith of our mothers, holy faith,
we will be true to you till death.
3 Faith of our sisters, brothers too,
who still must bear oppression’s might,
raising on high, in prisons dark,
the cross of Christ still burning bright.
Faith for today, O living faith,
we will be true to you till death.
4 Faith born of God, oh, call us yet,
bind us with all who follow you,
sharing the struggle of your cross
until the world is made anew.
Faith born of God, O living faith,
we will be true to you till death.
Text: Frederik W. Faber; Music: Henri F. Hemy; Public Domain
Devotion
I often send gifts from Michigan to family living in California, but they are delivered by the Amazon drivers. So too, God has sent the gift of faith, but for many of us, that gift was delivered to us by our mothers and fathers in the faith, like Timothy’s grandmother and mother did for him. This hymn also reminds me of my sisters and brothers in the faith. One such brother, Francis of Assisi (commemorated today) is another in whom we see a distinct definition of faith—the ability to see God’s hand and grace in all of creation. As I continue to grow in the awareness that I am “bound with all who follow Jesus,” may I appreciate the distinctive flavor of their faith in him, as I hope they recognize the unique life of faith Christ has inspired in me.
Prayer
Holy God, as we look back in time, we sense we are in a cloud of witnesses, the communion of saints. Thank you for their light of faith that shines into the present day. As we look forward, we pray that you not only “bind us with all who follow you,” but that you inspire us to be lights for those who come after us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.