There is one body and one Spirit. (Eph 4:4 NIV)

“I believe one, holy Christian Church, the communion of saints!” That is our confession dear reader. Remember that in German “one” is written with a capital letter, so that you might emphasize it too and will not forget, that there is but one Church, just one communion of saints – and none besides. In your experience and seen from your perspective the communion is not one. Her members are in heaven, but also on earth and you divide the Church into the triumphant and the militant one, the Church of the heavenly citizens and the earthly pilgrims. The pilgrims are not even moving in one crowd and assembly either, they are scattered throughout the world and on every continent, they are divided into denominations and as such they are homeward bound. Darkness is still widespread and it remains a strain to even recognize the faithful neighbour, never mind more than that. From our human perspective and seen with our eyes Christendom – the holy Church – is still divided into those in heaven and the dispersed and hidden multitude here on earth. Yet God knows his Church and guarantees its unity. He knows his own. His eyes watch faithfully over them. His ears catch all her sighs, prayers, praises as one harmonious unity and symphony will billions of voices. For you the Church remains an article of faith, yet for him and his godly insight she is marvellously united – in body and soul.

O Lord Jesus Christ, you Lord of your Church and head of your congregation and holy communion. Behold her need and dispersion, which have come from our sin. Behold the old evil foe afflicting and persecuting your flock. Do not forsake her, but take her into your special care and assure her of your helpful and powerful presence, who is leading her through suffering and troubles to perfection and out of dispersion to the unity in the Holy Spirit. Let your Church, which is still struggling militantly look forward und upward toward the heavenly destination, where she’ll be home in the celestial Jerusalem, the city of the living God and the congregation of the firstborn, where your holy fellowship and sanctified communion live in harmonious unity with you eternally. Amen.

The Lord knows his own and always has, the big and small in every folk and land. He doesn’t let them perish, but leads them to and fro – living and dying they are his and for ever remain that too.

The Lord knows his own as he has always done, the big and small in ever folk and land. He’s working gracefully by his powerful Spirit faith, hope and love – that’s the work of his grace. Praise him! (Philipp Spitta, 1801-1859)  

This is a translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Sunday Laetare (4th Sunday in Lent). The prayer was translated rather literally and not poetically. Both are found on Pg. 138 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.