for grace to live well

photo courtesy of ©Depositphotos.com / SergeyIT

Something beautiful happened today.

Actually, it started a few days ago, when I remembered my friend Sara talking about how she’d finally ordered the Book of Common Prayer. I’ve been meaning to do it myself for ages – Madeline L’Engle and Lauren Winner have both talked about its significance in their lives, and since they’re two of my favorite “women i’ve never met but wish i had and with whom I look forward to conversing in heaven” people, I figured it was a book worth reading on their recommendation.

But here’s the truly beautiful thing: I debated between the $15 burgundy-covered copy from 1979 or the more expensive copy of a modernized 1559 Elizabethan prayer book with original artwork on the cover – and went for pricey, for the sake of history and rootedness in the faith, etc.

Apparently, the word “modernized” has different connotations for different people…

But as I was reading through the order for morning prayer at 2:00pm this afternoon, I came across The Third Collect, for Grace – and it said it all. I suspect that if I am truly disciplined about using this book the way it was meant to be used, it will transform my prayer life – and I can’t wait.

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, which hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day: Defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always that is righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.