Commemoration of St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

From the Treasury and our Synod's website:

Early in the third century A.D., Laurence, most likely born in Spain, made his way to Rome. There he was appointed chief of the seven deacons and was given the responsibility to manage church property and finances. The emperor at the time, who thought that the church had valuable things worth confiscating, ordered Laurence to produce the “treasures of the church.” Laurence brought before the emperor the poor whose lives had been touched by Christian charity. He was then jailed and eventually executed in the year 258 by being roasted on a gridiron. His martyrdom left a deep impression on the young church. Almost immediately, the date of His death, August 10, became a permanent fixture on the early commemorative calendar of the Church.

I was struck in praying this morning at how beautifully well the Tuesday prayer matches the commemoration of St. Lawrence:

Go through bars and fences to those who are imprisoned for the sake of Your name; strengthen them for a good witness, and let them not waver in the confession of Your name.  Teach us through their example, and the example of so many holy martyrs, to be ever watchful for the confession of Your Son's name.  Let us not be to put shame when the evil foe lays his hand on us.  But if it is Your will that we be persecuted for confessing as our Lord and only Savior, then support us by Your grace that we may withstand all trials, and grant us peaceful rest...

Despised and scorned, they sojourned here;
But now, how glorious they appear!
Those martyrs stand,
A priestly band,

God's throne forever near.
LSB 676:2