Come My Soul Thy Suit Prepare
Come, my soul, thy suit prepare
Come My Soul Thy Suit Prepare is a hymn text by John Newton (1779) in C.M. meter. Found in CW93 409, ELH 381, lsb 779, lw 433. Sung to ST. PETERSBURG.
The hymn exemplifies evangelical soteriology by emphasizing the believer's direct access to God through Christ's mediation, reflecting the priesthood of all believers. It articulates confidence in God's willingness to hear and answer prayer as foundational to Christian devotion and faith.
History & Background
Written by John Newton in 1779 and published in his Olney Hymns collection, this hymn draws inspiration from Solomon's prayer at Gibeon, encouraging believers to approach God boldly in prayer. It became a standard prayer hymn in evangelical and liturgical Protestant traditions.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship — 409
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 381
- Lutheran Service Book — 779
- Lutheran Worship — 433
- Trinity Hymnal — 631
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 459
Bulletin Note
John Newton (1779) wrote this hymn to strengthen the prayer life of ordinary believers. It reflects the evangelical conviction that God welcomes human petition through Christ's intercession alone, inviting earnest rather than presumptuous prayer.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the evangelical confidence that Christ's mediation grants all believers direct access to God's throne—a powerful counterpoint to any sermon on the courage required to pray boldly and without shame.
In the Church Year
Suggested in the one-year series
- Lent 2 (1×)
Suggested in the three-year series
- Proper 15 (1×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
John Newton's hymn before prayer, from the Olney Hymns (1779). Newton, a former slave-ship captain converted by grace, encourages the soul to bring its 'suit' (petition) because Jesus loves to answer prayer and commands it (st. 1), and to ask largely of a King (st. 2). The petitions follow: removal of sin's load by Christ's blood (st. 3), Christ's reign in the heart (st. 4), his image printed there (st. 5), his guidance on the pilgrimage (st. 6), and strength, a life of faith, and a blessed death (st. 7). It is a model of prayer grounded in God's command and promise.
Central theme: Bold prayer to Christ the King, grounded in his command and promise, beginning with forgiveness
Structure
Seven quatrains (7.7.7.7). Encouragement to pray (1-2) — petitions: forgiveness (3), reign (4), image (5), guidance (6), life and death (7).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: 'Thy blood, for sinners spilt, set my conscience free from guilt' (3). The 'load of sin' is the Law's burden.
Confessional Connections
Prayer rests on God's command and promise (LC III.5-22). Forgiveness first (Fifth Petition; the conscience freed by the blood, Heb 9:14). Christ's 'blood-bought right' over the heart (SC Second Article: 'that I may be His own'). Renewal of the image (2 Cor 3:18).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Before prayer; Rogate Sunday (Easter 5 historic, John 16:23); general.
Historical Notes
Newton (1725-1807), Anglican curate at Olney; Olney Hymns with William Cowper (1779).
About the Tune
VIENNA (Justin H. Knecht, 1797).
Scripture References
John 16:23-24 Ps 50:15 Luke 18:1 Matt 7:7-11 Eph 3:20 Heb 4:16 Matt 11:28 Heb 9:14 Heb 10:22 1 Cor 6:19-20 2 Cor 3:18 Gal 4:19 Heb 11:13 Ps 48:14 Isa 40:31 Hab 2:4 Num 23:10
Stanza by Stanza
Come, my soul, prepare your petition; Jesus loves to answer prayer; he himself has told you to pray, so he will not refuse you.
'Suit' — a petition at court. The ground of prayer: Christ 'loves to answer' and 'Himself has bid thee pray' (John 16:23-24; Ps 50:15). The Large Catechism: God's command and promise make prayer certain (LC III.5-22). 'Will not say thee nay' — confidence based on his word.
- Scripture
- John 16:23-24, Ps 50:15, Matt 7:7-11
- Imagery & language
- Suit at court; bidding.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — command and promise to pray.
- Connection to previous
- Encouragement.
You are coming to a king; bring large petitions, for his grace and power are such that no one can ever ask too much.
Bold prayer: 'ask largely' (Eph 3:20; Heb 4:16). The petitioner comes before a King whose generosity exceeds requests. The Lord's Prayer itself asks for everything.
- Scripture
- Eph 3:20, Heb 4:16, John 14:13-14, Ps 81:10
- Imagery & language
- King; large petitions.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — boundless grace.
- Connection to previous
- Boldness.
I begin with my burden: Lord, remove this load of sin; let your blood, shed for sinners, free my conscience from guilt.
The first petition is for forgiveness — the Fifth Petition is the heart of prayer. 'Load of sin' (Ps 38:4; Matt 11:28). 'Let Thy blood… set my conscience free from guilt' — Heb 9:14; 10:22. Prayer begins with what we most need.
- Scripture
- Ps 38:4, Matt 11:28, Heb 9:14, Heb 10:22, 1 John 1:7
- Imagery & language
- Burden; blood; conscience.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — burden of sin; Gospel — the blood frees.
- Connection to previous
- Forgiveness.
Lord, I come to you for rest; take possession of my heart; maintain your blood-bought right there and reign without a rival.
Rest (Matt 11:28). 'Take possession' — Christ's lordship over the heart. 'Thy blood-bought right' — 1 Cor 6:19-20: 'you were bought with a price.' 'Without a rival reign' — the First Commandment: no other gods in the heart.
- Scripture
- Matt 11:28-29, 1 Cor 6:19-20, Eph 3:17, Exod 20:3
- Imagery & language
- Rest; possession; rival.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ's purchased reign.
- Connection to previous
- Reign.
As the image in a mirror answers the face of the one looking, so appear to my heart and print your own likeness there.
2 Cor 3:18: 'beholding the glory of the Lord, [we] are being transformed into the same image.' Gal 4:19: 'until Christ is formed in you.' The mirror image: as we behold Christ in the Word, his likeness is formed in us.
- Scripture
- 2 Cor 3:18, Gal 4:19, Rom 8:29, Col 3:10
- Imagery & language
- Mirror; resemblance.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ's image formed in us.
- Connection to previous
- Image.
While I am a pilgrim here, let your love cheer my spirit; as my guide, guard and friend, lead me to my journey's end.
Pilgrimage (Heb 11:13; 1 Pet 2:11). Christ as Guide (Ps 48:14), Guard (Ps 121), Friend (John 15:15).
- Scripture
- Heb 11:13, 1 Pet 2:11, Ps 48:14, Ps 121, John 15:15
- Imagery & language
- Pilgrim; Guide, Guard, Friend.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ's companionship.
- Connection to previous
- Pilgrimage.
Show me what I must do; renew my strength every hour; let me live a life of faith and die the death of your people.
Guidance in vocation; renewed strength (Isa 40:31). 'A life of faith' (Hab 2:4; Gal 2:20). 'Let me die Thy people's death' — Balaam's 'Let me die the death of the upright' (Num 23:10): a blessed death in faith.
- Scripture
- Isa 40:31, Hab 2:4, Gal 2:20, Num 23:10, Rev 14:13
- Imagery & language
- Strength; faith; death.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — life and death in faith.
- Connection to previous
- Life and death.
Themes
Prayer and petition Access to God through Christ Confidence in divine hearing Perseverance in supplication