Sunday at the Holy Eucharist

Sung today at Saint Augustine’s House –

1 Lord, keep us steadfast in your Word;
curb those who by deceit or sword
would wrest the kingdom from your Son
and bring to naught all he has done.

2 Lord Jesus Christ, your pow’r make known,
for you are Lord of lords alone;
defend your holy church, that we
may sing your praise triumphantly.

3 O Comforter of priceless worth,
send peace and unity on earth;
support us in our final strife,
and lead us out of death to life.

~LBW 230

In 1541 the Turkish army was threatening to take Vienna. The German rulers called for special prayers for safety from these Islamic forces. Martin Luther responded to this request by writing the original German text (“Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort”) for a prayer service in Wittenberg.