Commontide

Preparation for Personal Prayer

Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

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Commontide
Collect
Prayers

Good Friday — The Solemn Collects

Almighty and everlasting God, whose judgment upholds all things both in heaven and on earth: as you have appointed these your servants to be our Bishops, so also defend them by your mercy against all adversities; that we, acknowledging you as the great Shepherd and Overseer of our souls, may so prosper by their care that we may bring forth the fruit of righteousness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Found in the Prayer Book

  • Good FridayLent & Holy Week

Provenance

Gelasian, c.750

Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.

This Good Friday prayer for bishops first appears in English in the 2019 ACNA Book of Common Prayer, but it translates a Roman collect for the Pope and the local bishop that has been prayed on Good Friday since at least the mid-eighth century.