1. Awake, Thou Spirit, who didst fire
The watchmen of the Church's youth,
Who faced the Foe's envenomed ire,
Who witnessed day and night Thy truth,
Whose voices loud are ringing still
And bringing hosts to know Thy will.
2. Lord, let our earnest prayer be heard,
The prayer Thy Son hath bid us pray;
For, lo, Thy children's hearts are stirred
In ev'ry land in this our day
To cry with fervent soul to Thee,
Oh, help us, Lord! So let it be!
3. Oh, haste to help ere we are lost!
Send preachers forth, in spirit strong,
Armed with Thy Word, a dauntless host,
Bold to attach the rule of wrong;
Let them the earth for Thee reclaim,
Thy heritage, to know Thy name.
4. And let Thy Word have speedy course,
Thro' ev'ry land be glorified,
Till all the heathen know its force
And fill Thy churches far and wide.
Oh, spread the conquest of Thy Word
And let Thy kingdom come, dear Lord!
Hymn #494 from _The Lutheran Hymnal_
Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:1
Author: Carl H. von Bogatzky, 1750, cento
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1855, alt.
Titled: "Wach auf, du Geist der ersten Zeugen"
Tune: "All Ehr' und Lob"
1st Published in: _Kirchengesangbuch_
Town: Strassburg, 1541