Wednesday, October 14, 2015

We Hope in His Immeasurable Goodness

The collects (i.e. "opening prayer") for the past two weeks (from 10/4 and 10/11) have been powerful and hopeful expressions of confidence in the all-encompassing and limitless power of God's mercy and grace. His mercy is poured out in a generosity beyond our asking, and His grace goes before us and follows after us, giving us the freedom to do good.

In these days I want especially to remember that God is good beyond all our imaginings.

Almighty ever-living God,
who in the abundance of your kindness
surpass the merits and the desires of those who entreat you,
pour out your mercy upon us
to pardon what conscience dreads
and to give what prayer does not dare to ask.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

May your grace, O Lord, we pray,
at all times go before us and follow after
and make us always determined
to carry out good works.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.