Grant, Almighty God,

    as You invite us so kindly and graciously to Yourself,

  that we may not be resistant,

    but with every evil affection subdued,

    offer ourselves to Your service.

 

  And since You require nothing else from us

    but to observe what is right toward one another,

O grant that we may be mindful of the brotherhood 

    that Your only begotten Son by His own blood has consecrated,

    and call on You as our father,

    and prove by our whole conduct that we are Your children.

 

And may every one of us so labor for one another that,

    being united in heart and affection,

    we may with one sentiment aspire towards that blessed life,

    where we shall enjoy the inheritance 

    that has been prepared and obtained by the blood of Your son,

    and through Him prepared for us in heaven. Amen.

 

John Calvin, 1509-1564, Swiss Reformer

Lifting Up Our Hearts, freely modified

 

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This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Just as I had determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me,” says the Lord Almighty, “so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid. These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.