Come quickly to help me,

O Lord God my salvation,

  for the battle is great

  and the adversaries are powerful.

The enemy is hostile,

  the invisible foe fighting through visible forms.

Come quickly, therefore, to help us,

  and assist us through your Holy Son,

  our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom you have redeemed us all,

through whom be glory and power to you

  for ever and ever.

Origen, 185-254, Alexandrian Theologian

___________________

Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.