We prayed these words last night at the Divine Service for St. Matthew's day. They come at the very end of General Prayer 2 (Altar Book, p. 441). Each time I pray them, I am drawn to love them more and more:
As we are strangers and pilgrims on earth, help us by true faith and a godly life to prepare for the world to come, doing the work You have given us to do while it is day, before the night comes when no one can work. And when our last hour comes, support us by Your power, and receive us into Your heavenly Kingdom; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
What particularly strikes me in this prayer is that we ask God's help by a true faith and a godly life to prepare for the world to come. Practice for Eternity - that's what our faith and our godly lives are to be about. Practice for that life where praise rings ceaselessly and where love is perfected and yet still grows. Help us practice, Lord, for what life finally shall be and not waste our time and efforts on what is only passing away! Such a beautiful and comforting prayer.
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