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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 fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
The Book of Common Prayer, pg. 100
Known as the prayer or “Collect for Grace” found in the office of Morning Prayer II, there is no better way to start out a new day than by reciting these important words.
The prayer itself begins by placing God in His rightful place, acknowledging Him as Lord, almighty and everlasting Father. Immediately, it centers us on the fundamental truth of who God is. Often, I find myself meditating on each of these descriptive words with the intention of getting my mind and heart right. By focusing on these various attributes, it allows me to turn away from or let go of the many distractions and/or obtrusive thoughts that keep me from entering into His presence.
The prayer then reminds us that God Himself has brought us into a new day. This is significant. If you are anything like me, it is easy to allow the past day’s interactions and thoughts to carry over. We are called to let go and, in the words of St. Benedict, we are called to “begin again.”
What’s interesting, though, is that we cannot “begin again” on our own. As the prayer indicates, we need God’s help. He knows what we will face even before we face it. Adversity is all around us. We are constantly being tempted and it is easy to forget who we are and to whom we belong in the midst of life’s circumstances. The point is that God did not create us to be alone. This truth is evident from the beginning of time and throughout history. He is with us, and if we make room for Him, He will lead us and direct us to the fulfillment of His purpose.
What is God’s purpose? God’s greatest purpose for each of us is that we be in relationship with Him. And it begins each day with prayer as we acknowledge His place in our lives, our need for Him and our desire through word and deed to be pleasing to Him in all that we do.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8, NIV
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