ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth the right hand of Thy Majesty, to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son. our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.

--Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church

We are weak. In this world, we constantly live in danger of sickness, violence, and loss due to our own actions and the actions of others. We are entirely dependent upon the mercy of God for our next breath and our next heartbeat, let alone the 'big' things of life for which we routinely pray.

This message is unpopular. It is not often preached in this land of prosperity, cowboys, and self-reliance. It will not land you a best-selling book deal...but it is reality. And in this week's collect, we confess our utter dependence before God and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Beloved of God, let us not shy away from this confession, bound by our narcissistic pride and hyper-inflated egos. Instead, let us gratefully confess our reliance on the one who truly can heal us, strengthen us, and forgive us. Thanks be to God!

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