Judah1,
a slave of Jesus Christ,
a brother of Jacob2,
to those who are called,
beloved in God the Father
and kept for Jesus Christ;
Mercy to you all,
and peace
and may love be multiplied!
Beloved,
making all speed to write to you all
about our common salvation
I had need to write to you
encouraging you
to continue to struggle
for the faith
which was passed onto the saints
once-and-for-all
For certain people have slipped in,
who long ago
were marked out
for this condemnation
-godless
who are changing the grace of our God,
into immorality
and denying
our only master
and our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Steer the ship of my life, good Lord, to your quiet harbour,
where I can be safe from the storms of sin and conflict.
Show me the course I should take.
Renew in me the gift of discernment,
so that I can always see the right direction in which I should go.
And give me the strength and the courage to choose the right course,
even when the sea is rough and the waves are high,
knowing that through enduring hardship and danger in your name
we shall find comfort and peace.
Amen
Basil of Caesarea (c.329-379)