The Source of True Help
“Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
Collect for the Third Sunday in Lent[1]
You’ve probably heard the phrase: “God helps those who help themselves.” It is one of the more widely quoted aphorisms floating around. It also is a truth widely held by Christians. The Barna Group once polled Christians to see whether they thought that the phrase was Biblical. Surprisingly, 53 percent of those polled strongly agreed and 22 percent somewhat agreed.[2] The only problem is that the idea that “God helps those who help themselves” is nowhere found in the Bible. In fact, Scripture teaches quite the opposite.
“The Book of Common Prayer” agrees. Take, for instance, the Collect for the Third Sunday in Lent, which was the collect for this past Sunday: “Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves.” This prayer rightly stresses that we cannot change ourselves. It says that we have “no power in ourselves to help ourselves.” That said, so much of our culture communicates a different approach. Namely, if we just adopt the right leadership or parenting technique then we will be able to bring about a massive change.
The Gospel offers a radically different perspective from this misguided notion. Instead of looking inward for the work of God, Christians are called to look outward. As we divert attention away from ourselves, we see that it is God who is the real hero. He is the one who intercedes for us and is there for us to make changes in our lives.
So, as you begin your day, remember to be bold as you come before God: admit your faults, your shortcomings and your inabilities. And, as you do this, remember also that God accepts us no matter what. He is good and faithful to receive us and to empower us all the days of our life.
[1] “The Book of Common Prayer,” 218.
[2] “Americans' Bible Knowledge Is In the Ballpark, But often Off Base." The Barna Group, 16 April 2001.
