We must keep the commandments of God. This is self-evident, for God has given us his commandments for no other reason than that we should keep them. Moreover, Christ expressly says: "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."--Matt. 19: 17. The question is, can we of ourselves keep the commandments, as is required for salvation? We cannot, for we are not able of ourselves to do anything for our salvation. "We are not sufficient to think anything of ourselves, as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God."--I. Cor. 3: 5. God must assist us with his grace, that we may keep his commandments. But in order to obtain this grace, we must ask him for it. "Ask, and you shall receive." He who does not pray has reason to fear that God will diminish the measure of graces, and that he, especially in great temptations, will transgress the commandments of God, sin, and lose his soul and salvation.

O Lord God, King of heaven and earth, vouchsafe this day to direct and to sanctify, to rule and to govern, our souls and bodies, our senses, words, and actions, in Thy law, and in the works of Thy commandments; that both now and forever we may deserve to be saved and delivered through Thy protection, O Savior of the world, who livest and reignest, world without end.

R. Amen.
V. O Lord, grant Thy blessing.

The Blessing: May the Lord Almighty order our days and deeds in His peace.
R. Amen.

O my God, who hast graciously promised every blessing, even heaven itself, through Jesus Christ, to those who keep thy commandments: relying on thy power which is infinite, thy mercies which are over all thy works, and thy promises to which thou art always faithful, I confidently hope to obtain the pardon of my past sins, which I now detest; grace to serve thee faithfully in this life, by doing the good works thou hast commanded, and eternal happiness in the next, through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.