Prayer book
O LORD God, who seest that we put not our trust in any thing that we do; Mercifully grant that by thy power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Breviary (Sarum)
O God, who seest that we put not our trust in any thing that we do; Mercifully grant that by the protection of the Teacher of the Gentiles, we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reflection
This collect again shows the tension between pre- and post-Reformation Anglicanism. Just whose protection should we prefer, St Paul's or God's?
There is a false dichotomy here. We learn of God's protection through the words of St Paul. It is St Paul acting as a clay vessel of the Love of God that we can receive protection from God. St Paul's protection is one that we read:
"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (Ephesians vi.14-18)
This is the protection that God gives us. It is the protection that the Teacher of the Gentiles reveals to us through his obedience to God. It will defend us if we use it.
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