Forty days and forty nights

Forty days and forty nights
you were fasting in the wild;
forty days and forty nights
tempted and yet undefiled.

2. Burning heat throughout the day,
bitter cold when light had fled;
prowling beasts around your way,
stones your pillow, earth your bed.

3. Shall not we your trials share,
learn your discipline and will;
and with you by fast and prayer
wrestle with the powers of hell?

4. So if Satan, pressing hard,
soul and body would destroy:
Christ who conquered, be our guard;
give to us the victor’s joy.

5. Saviour, may we hear your voice-
keep us constant at your side;
so with you we shall rejoice,
raised, perfected, glorified.