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"Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
In this week’s Collect, we ask God to “increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity” and to help us love what God commands so that we may receive the promises of the Gospel. These words carry a profound invitation to live a life deeply rooted in the love and grace of God, but how do we truly live into these virtues?
I recently heard a story that beautifully exemplifies the meaning of this Collect.
Sarah, had always been deeply involved in the life of the church. She served on various committees, taught Sunday School, and regularly visited those in need. But one day, she found herself in the middle of a personal storm. Her husband became ill, and financial worries began to pile up. Sarah, a person of deep faith, began to feel her faith flicker.
One Sunday, as she sat quietly in a pew, tears welled up in her eyes. She felt overwhelmed, unsure of how to carry on. As the service unfolded, the words of a hymn—“O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come”—struck her heart. She remembered that her faith wasn’t just about her own strength but about trusting in God’s promises, even when she couldn’t see a way forward. That day, something shifted.
Sarah didn’t leave church with all the answers, but she left with a renewed sense of hope and a deeper faith in God’s presence. Her circumstances didn’t immediately change, but her heart did. With that renewed strength, she continued to show up—both for herself and for others—trusting that God would sustain her, one day at a time.
Faith, Hope, and Charity: Anchoring Us in God’s Love
Sarah’s story reflects what we are praying for in this Collect. When we ask God to “increase in us” these gifts, we are recognizing that faith, hope, and charity are not things we muster up on our own—they are gifts from God that grow as we lean into our relationship with Christ.
Faith is trusting God when life is uncertain, as Sarah did. It’s about placing our confidence not in ourselves but in God’s promises, which remain steady and true, even when the ground feels shaky beneath us.
Hope is what carries us through those moments when we can’t yet see the outcome, but we trust that God is working behind the scenes. Just as Sarah found renewed hope in a hymn, we are reminded that hope often arrives in small, surprising ways—through the kindness of a friend, a prayer, or a quiet moment of grace.
Charity, or love, is how we respond to the needs of the world around us. Even in her own pain, Sarah didn’t stop loving. She continued to care for others, trusting that God’s love would pour through her. This is the heart of our calling as Christians—to love as Christ loves, without counting the cost.
Living What God Commands
When we pray to love what God commands, we are asking for hearts aligned with God’s will—a will that always seeks the flourishing of all creation. Loving what God commands means not just hearing the words of Jesus but living them out. It means forgiving when it’s hard, loving when it’s costly, and serving when it’s inconvenient.
Sarah’s story is a reminder that living in faith, hope, and love isn’t always easy. It doesn’t mean life will be without struggle. But it does mean that in those struggles, we are not alone. The saints, both those who have gone before us and those walking alongside us now, remind us that God’s promises are true and that the gifts of faith, hope, and love will see us through.
As we move into this week, I invite you to reflect on where God might be calling you to grow in these gifts. Where do you need faith to trust in what you cannot see? Where is hope waiting to be rekindled in your heart? And where can love guide your actions, even when it requires sacrifice?
Let us walk together in faith, hope, and love, trusting that God is with us every step of the way.
In grace and peace,
Mo. Allison+
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