Lord, Speak to Us, That We May Speak (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 676)
1 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.
2 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.
3 Oh, teach us, Lord, that we may teach
the precious truths which you impart;
and wing our words, that thy may reach
the hidden depths of many a heart.
4 Oh, fill us with your fullness, Lord,
until my very hearts o’erflow
in kindling thought and glowing word,
your love to tell, your praise to show.
Text: Frances R. Havergal; Music: Robert Schumann; Public Domain
Devotion
This hymn is not only the prayer of an individual, it’s even more an expression of corporate prayer. In it, a community of faith is asking God’s guidance throughout our lives; “Oh, fill us with your fullness, Lord, until our very hearts o’erflow” in thought, love, and deed toward our neighbor. Being part of a community of faith that worships together, shares joys and concerns together, and encourages one another out of the joy we know together in Jesus is essential to our health and wholeness as a people. We share peace. We share food and fellowship. We hear words of inclusion and friendship. And in this beloved community, we know what it is to be a neighbor and to receive neighboring from one another. We flourish in it and can’t help but invite others into the beauty of that fellowship when we experience it.
Prayer
O Holy Spirit, enter into our heart and into the fellowship of the Saints that worship together with us today. Bring us into spiritual union with you. Give us empathy for the needs of others, show us your way, your truth, and your light, that we may know loving community and guidance in your way of peace and neighborliness. Amen.