Every Sunday in our liturgy the pastor reads a prayer called the Collect. It has a very rich history. It's changes weekly and reflects the theme of the day. It's printed in our weekly bulletin so that you can read it at home throughout the week as part of a personal devotion time.
But exactly what is the 'collect'?
The collect is the 'prayer of the day'. The collect begins with "Let us pray", inviting the worshipers to join their hearts in prayer with the pastor. The collect is a prayer that gathers request related to the Scriptures of the day. They have been used by the church for at least 15 centuries.
The parts of this formal prayer usually include:
- Invocation - addressing God
- Basis - why ask these things
- Petition - our specific request
- Purpose or benefit - desired result
- Closing doxology - praise to God
Most Collects are addressed to God the Father and all close in Jesus' name, as Jesus instructed. John 15:16
The Collect of the Day for Sunday, September 14 which is the 18th Sunday after Pentecost:
"O God, your refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain: through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever."
0 comments:
Post a Comment