My God, who is the only hope of the world

   and the only refuge for unhappy men,

   who abides in the faithfulness of heaven:

give me strong assistance in this place of testing.

King, protect your man from absolute ruin,

   lest the one weak in faith surrender to the tyrant

   and face innumerable blows alone.

Remember as I am dust, wind, and shadow,

   and my life is as fleeting as the flower of grass.

But may the eternal mercy which has shone from time of old

   rescue his servant from the jaws of the lion.

You who came from on high in the cloak of flesh,

   strike down the dragon with that two-edged sword,

   so that our mortal flesh can war with the winds

   and beat down strongholds with our captain God.

The Venerable Bede, c.673 – 735, English monk, linguist and translator

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Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.