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

The Third Sunday in Advent

O Lord Jesus Christ, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found a people acceptable in your sight; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

BCP 2019, p. 599

Proper Preface

Preface of Advent

Because you sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great glory to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing.

Provenance

Cosin 1662

Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.

This collect was composed for the great revision of the Book of Common Prayer that became the 1662 edition, probably by Bishop John Cosin of Durham in 1661. Unlike most BCP collects, which translate ancient Latin prayers, this one was written entirely in English, drawing its language almost directly from the angel's words to Zechariah in Luke 1:17.