Lord Jesus, you called Matthew from collecting taxes to become your apostle and evangelist: Grant us the grace to forsake all covetous desires and inordinate love of riches, that we may follow you as he did and proclaim to the world around us the good news of your salvation; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Preface of Apostles
Through the great shepherd of your flock, Jesus Christ our Lord, who after his resurrection sent forth his apostles to preach the Gospel and to teach all nations, and promised to be with them always, even to the end of the ages.
Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.
A prayer composed by Thomas Cranmer for the very first English Prayer Book in 1549, asking that we forsake greed and follow Christ as Matthew did when he left his tax booth behind.