And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Eph 5:18 KJV)

The drunkard is not capable of leading a careful and prudent life as a Christian. You don’t need the Holy Spirit to recognize that a drunkard follows a disorderly pattern that ultimately leads to destruction and despair. All Religions and human reason agree that drunkenness is a vice which destroys mans best qualities especially the clear use of reason and human logic and wisdom. Yet even, where through excessive use of alcohol the good use of reason has not yet been totally ruined, you still find shameful misuse, dissipation  and debauchery damaging both body and soul. Now one should be able to assume that the commandment of such a plain and disastrous sin would be gladly obeyed and followed – especially considering the obvious evil resulting from it. It would seem that it would be quite unnecessary to point out the devastating  consequences of alcohol abuse which brings about so many serious maladies in the individual, but also in society. If even pagans and Muslims can follow the rules of abstinence to avoid the calamities of this abuse, how much more should Christians be able to adhere to a wise utilization of this good gift of God by the power of the Holy Spirit? However our experience shows us otherwise. We are baptized Christians and live under the wholesome influence of God’s holy Word and his blessed Sacraments. There one would assume that the vice of alcohol abuse does not even need to be mentioned. Yet our anniversaries, festivities and parties too often prove the opposite

Oh Lord, our God, be merciful and turn this calamity. Grant a change of heart and lifestyle in our nation and enable us to become quite sober and free from this evil bondage. Help us to live decent and sanctified lives, so that we may avoid all disorderly and messy ways. Let us take good care of our souls and fill them with your Holy Spirit. Protect us in the coming night as we commend ourselves into your fatherly care and blessed protection and safekeeping. Amen.

Christ, mighty Saviour, Light of all creation, you make the daytime radiant with the sunlight and to the night give glittering adornment, stars in the heavens.

Now comes the day’s end as the sun is setting; mirror of daybreak, pledge of resurrection; while in the heavens choirs of stars appearing hallow the nightfall.

Therefore we come now evening rites to offer, joyfully chanting holy hymns to praise you, with all creation joining hearts and voices singing your glory.

Give heed, we pray you, to our supplication; that you may grant us pardon for offenses, strength for our weak hearts, rest for aching bodies, soothing the weary.

Though bodies slumber, hearts shall keep their vigil, forever resting in the peace of Jesus, in light or darkness worshiping our Saviour now and forever. (Latin from the 7th Century tr Alan McDougall 1895-1964)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the twentieth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 358 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.