Take refuge in the holy God
Almighty God,
our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness;
hear the devout prayers of your church,
and grant that those things we ask for in faith,
we may surely obtain,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
A quick search for bestselling books on prayer can be somewhat depressing. Many books out there sell technique, as if these words plus this kind of fasting with that physical posture will unlock heaven’s richest blessing for us. But to treat the God and Father of our Lord Jesus as a slot machine or magic genie is outrageous.
This short collect instead leads us the right way. The collect pleads that God would hear the prayers of Christ’s church, recognising that he has promised to grant what is asked for in faith through Jesus (e.g. John 16:24). But what should we faithfully ask for so that we can be sure it will be given?
To ask in Jesus’ name is to pray on the basis of who God has revealed himself to be. This of course makes sense because prayer is inherently relational. It is person to person. Thus, the collect highlights for us two aspects of who God is.
First, it picks up on Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” For his people, God is the one safe place that will never fail. He is present and not distant amidst all the temptation, suffering, and sorrow we experience in this life. Hence, it is natural that we should ask for his help and upholding in whatever troubles we face and especially those that come because we are his people.
Second, it reminds us that God is the Author. He is the creator and sustainer of all things visible and invisible (see Article 1 of the Thirty-nine Articles), including all virtue. He is Goodness. He is Holiness. Therefore, all godliness in our lives we trace upriver to its source in him. (This is another reason why we can never do works above and beyond what God requires – see Article 14.) Consequently, let’s pray for his sanctifying work in us.
Do you ever feel put on the spot when asked what you would like prayer for? Our health, a new job, and evangelism — all of these are good things to pray for. But here are two things that we can be confident our God loves to hear us ask for: his help and upholding in all our troubles, and for holiness that his Spirit would form Christ in us. Or you could even say the protection, power, and favour of God worked out in our lives.
So pray this with me:
Almighty God,
our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness;
hear the devout prayers of your church,
and grant that those things we ask for in faith,
we may surely obtain,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.