That We May Be Ruled by Christ's Authority

Grant, Almighty God, that as you have given us your only begotten Son to rule us, and have by your good pleasure consecrated him a King over us, that we may be perpetually safe and secure under his hand against all the attempts of the devil and of the whole world--O, grant that we may suffer ourselves to be ruled by his authority, and so conduct ourselves, that he may ever continue to watch for our safety: and as you have committed us to him, that he may be the guardian of our salvation, so also suffer us neither to turn aside or to fall, but preserve us ever in his service, until we be at length gathered into that blessed and everlasting kingdom, which has been procured for us by the blood of your only Son. Amen.

(a prayer of John Calvin, in his Commentary on Hosea, translated into English in 1846 and updated by me into modern English)