God's Warrior

during one of the Spiritual Exercises meditations.

My God, My God, my loving Christ,
I put my trust in you.

Direct me Oh Lord in the battle to come!
Fill my soul with a spirit of fire and zeal!

From afar I heard the sound of your call
and it echoed in my breast.
I hastened to your side,
though often tripped by obstacles and fears.

Behold, I stand before you now,
willing to serve you, to give you my life.
With joyful heart I take up sword and shield in thy service.

To the battle I will go singing joyfully,
a song of praise to you will be on my lips.
Your strength will be in my arm,
your light in my eyes.

The joy of battle is upon me!
I am eager for the contest!
Let my foes fly before me
when they see the Lord I serve!
Wailing they will despair,
turn their backs and flee.
In their flight I will surely cut them down,
they will feel the bite of my sword!

Tremble, you enemies of the Lord, you fools!
You have set yourself against on too strong,
you are outmatched by God in me!
Fight or flee- to me it matters not,
I will hunt you down.

When your arm grows weary in the battle,
when your legs grow weak in the retreat,
still you will find me tireless, fighting, pursuing.
From me you will gain no respite,
for my strength is in the Lord.

Send me forth, my King!
I am eager for the war!

The Flame Within

Burning, Burning, Burning,
Ah, this flame is burning!
Bright it burns within my heart,
zeal and courage it does impart.
So intense it causes pain.
To live is Christ, to die is gain.
Ah, how this flame is burning!

Blazing, brightly blazing.
God how my soul is blazing!
Such love is too much to contain.
My joyful cries I cannot restrain.
More bright than king in gold attire
does burn my spirit with your fire.
God, how can I stand this blazing?

Consuming, so consuming.
God, this flame's my soul consuming!
Burns away all sin and vice,
devouring me like a sacrifice.
Oh flame that dwells within my core,
consume me til there's nothing more,
but you, oh flame of love, consuming!

Transforming, all transforming.
Christ, in your fire I'm transforming!
Like an offering that is burnt away,
may I burn a little more each day,
and offered share this burning love,
that appeared like fire tongues and Spirit dove.
May I share my soul's transforming!