O Holy Spirit, Enter In (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 786)
1 O Holy Spirit, enter in,
and in our hearts your work begin,
and make our hearts your dwelling.
Sun of the soul, O Light divine,
around and in us brightly shine,
your strength in us upwelling.
In your radiance life from heaven
now is given overflowing,
gift of gifts beyond all knowing.
2 Left to ourselves, we surely stray;
oh, lead us on the narrow way,
with wisest counsel guide us;
and give us steadfastness, that we
may follow you forever free,
no matter who derides us.
Gently heal those hearts now broken;
give some token you are near us,
whom we trust to light and cheer us.
3 O mighty Rock, O Source of life,
let your good Word in doubt and strife
be in us strongly burning,
that we be faithful unto death
and live in love and holy faith,
from you true wisdom learning.
Lord, your mercy on us shower;
by your power Christ confessing,
we will cherish all your blessing.
Text: Michael Schirmer; Music: Philipp Nicolai; Public Domain
Devotion
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he lists the spiritual gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, and discernment as manifested from God. The third verse of today’s hymn focuses on faith and wisdom. We sing (and pray) that God give us faith through “doubt and strife,” and that we receive “true wisdom learning.” On this Pentecost Sunday, our world is in tumult. It seems that doubt and strife are ever present. We pray for the faith to find comfort in tumultuous times, and we pray for wisdom for church leaders and world leaders to guide us safely through.
Prayer
“Lord, your mercy on us shower; by your power Christ confessing, we will cherish all your blessing.” Amen.