A Collect for Grace
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfillment of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
This collect, which we pray most every Wednesday morning, amplifies the passage in the Gospel reading where Jesus says to Zaccheus, "Today salvation has come to this house" (Luke 19:9).
Today, God has kept the sun shining and the world turning for 24 more hours.
Today, God is exercising power on our behalf.
Today, we face temptation and adversity.
Today, we have the chance to participate in God's plan for the world.
When Paul writes to the Ephesians, he says, "In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory" (Eph. 1:13-14).
It's the same story today as when Paul wrote his letter -- we have heard the gospel of our salvation, we have believed, we are marked for redemption, we have the chance to offer praise to God.
In all we do today, Lord God, direct us to the fulfillment of your purpose. Amen.
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