A Collect to Recognize the Cost of Discipleship

Father in heaven, in whom is all wisdom, help us to recognize that there is a cost in following you and to be willing to accept that cost, that we might willingly endure hardships in order to receive the blessing of being with you, through Jesus Christ our Lord who suffered greatly for our sake and sat down at your right hand in the Holy Spirit. Amen. “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’” – Luke 14:28-30