Prayer that we will persevere in following Jesus

May the example of St. Matthew keep our faith alive, despite our shortcomings.

In the spiritual life, we will often feel unworthy of being a Christian. We think that our sins are too much and that we could never turn back to God.

Yet, St. Matthew, the tax collector who was considered a public sinner because he cooperated with the Roman authorities, reminds us that God calls all of us, no matter our situation, to follow him.

Here is the Collect for the feast of St. Matthew, which focuses on this truth and asks God to grant us perseverance in following him.

O God, who with untold mercy
were pleased to choose as an Apostle
Saint Matthew, the tax collector,
grant that, sustained by his example and intercession,
we may merit to hold firm in following you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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