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October ’82
12. Tomorrow 22 years ago I first arrived and entered this city. Blessed be the
Lord my God for all His mercies and benefits and love and body, congregation
and family vouchsafed and bestowed upon me. Oh, may the Lord preserve my
heart to remember His loving kindnesses at His Table and to celebrate His praises
in His Sanctuary. Father of mercies, pardon my sins and imperfections of heart
and life and office in the precious blood of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and
strengthen and sanctify my soul and body in and for Thy blessed service. May we
see and taste Thy love and be encouraged in our hope, and warfare. Make us more
Holy and zealous, faithful and prosperous in our attempts for Thy glory. Preserve
us in peace, liberty and soundness of doctrine. Convert our unconverted friends.
Visit my family with Thy saving grace, and grant access to Thy cause in this land
and through all the world. May Thy Kingdom come and peace be restored on
Earth with piety and righteousness. Prosper our counsels, armies and allies,
incline our enemies to peace. Let the outgoing of this year rejoice.
14. Blessed be the Lord for supporting and strengthening grace in His House, and
the administration of the Holy Sacraments, as well as in my weakness, pains and
trials at home. Pardon, Father of mercies, my deafness and unbelief and let Thy
precious promise be fulfilled unto me. Do not leave nor forsake me, but be my
shield and reward in this land of my pilgrimage. Let no sin have dominion over
me. Let Thy gracious strength be made perfect in my weakness and make me
more than conqueror. 63 Restore my strength, and alleviate my diseases and
troubles and commit my unworthy self, family and congregation unto Thee and
the Word of Thy grace. Keep, preserve, sanctify and lead us in to the way
everlasting through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
30. This day I enter upon my 45 year and have been more than the half of my
lifetime employed in the service of the gospel. Praise the Lord, o my soul, for
supporting grace, and may my strength be renewed and I enabled in the inner and
outward man to glorify the God of my life with body and soul. O, most gracious
Lord, I humbly thank Thee for all Thy innumerable mercies and above all for the
hope of grace in Jesus Christ, our life. Enlighten my mind more and more to
know Thee and Thy Son, in whom is life, and incline my soul to Thy blessed
Communion. Encourage and furnish Thy unworthy servant with the gifts and
graces of Thy Holy Spirit to discharge the general duties of his sacred function
with sincerity and fervency to Thy glory and the saving of his own and other
souls. Bless my family, strengthen my consort in her present condition, and let all
our children be Thine in grace. Preserve our health and life and increase the
number of the faithful. Visit our land and Thy Church with Thy salvation and
give us Thy peace. Prepare us for Thy blessed will and lead us by Thy counsel,
until we arrive before Thee, and be satiated with Thy image. Let into Thy hands
and commit and commend my spirit, soul and body, family and congregation.
Hear our prayers, pardon our sins, ignorance, unbelief, hardness, pride and
ingratitude, and sanctify us and comfort us with the consolations of Thy blessed
Spirit in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen.
63
Romans 8:35-37. Westerlo quotes these words 26 times throughout his memoirs.
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