"Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord.”
Archbishop Cranmer positioned the Collect for Purity at the beginning of the communion liturgy in the 1549 and 1552 Books of Common Prayer. He took one of the most beautiful prayers of the Catholic tradition, known only by clergy and made it available to be heard by the whole congregation. The 2019 Book of Common Prayer allows the entire congregation together to pray the Collect for Purity at Eucharistic Prayer A.
From the beginning of my Episcopal worship experience, I was immediately struck by the beauty and power of the Collect for Purity. I believe this prayer captures the essence of our being followers of Jesus Messiah, of being God’s children. For me, it is the crowning expression of Christ centered worship.
This prayer of the people brings me experiences of joy, harmony and community at the beginning and during my worship experience. It prepares me to be present authentically, gratefully and joyfully to God and Christ in worship. It freshens the life of my soul. Incorporated in Christ, I am nourished by him in the bread and the wine, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, by God’s grace, by living in Christ.
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, ESV)
The Holy Spirit, ever present in my life, invites me to certainty that God knows what’s in my heart, knows my desires and my secrets. God, my loving parent, grants me mercy, and love, not condemnation and warrants me free will to do ill or good in my life. God’s Grace is free, sovereign and unrestricted.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Romans 8: 1-2,14
I recently came across a phrase, “the quality of openness.” It means for me being freely accessible, receptive, to listen quietly, deeply with an open heart to what the prayer challenges me to do. It calls me to true piety, true devotion, perfect love.
“You shall love the lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39
Encoded within this prayer are patterns of practice shaped by how I live these words. Striving for a life of healing, wholeness and liberation, a life of mercy, love and delight. A life of prayer and study in which I discover again and again the very nature and being of God and God in us.
“Holy Spirit, take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord, to thee." (BCP, p. 321).
“Sweeten my heart and fill me with light, And give me the strength to understand and the eyes to see.
Help me, for without You I am nothing.” (excerpts from Black Elk’s Lakota Prayer)
Archbishop Cranmer positioned the Collect for Purity at the beginning of the communion liturgy in the 1549 and 1552 Books of Common Prayer. He took one of the most beautiful prayers of the Catholic tradition, known only by clergy and made it available to be heard by the whole congregation. The 2019 Book of Common Prayer allows the entire congregation together to pray the Collect for Purity at Eucharistic Prayer A.
From the beginning of my Episcopal worship experience, I was immediately struck by the beauty and power of the Collect for Purity. I believe this prayer captures the essence of our being followers of Jesus Messiah, of being God’s children. For me, it is the crowning expression of Christ centered worship.
This prayer of the people brings me experiences of joy, harmony and community at the beginning and during my worship experience. It prepares me to be present authentically, gratefully and joyfully to God and Christ in worship. It freshens the life of my soul. Incorporated in Christ, I am nourished by him in the bread and the wine, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, by God’s grace, by living in Christ.
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, ESV)
The Holy Spirit, ever present in my life, invites me to certainty that God knows what’s in my heart, knows my desires and my secrets. God, my loving parent, grants me mercy, and love, not condemnation and warrants me free will to do ill or good in my life. God’s Grace is free, sovereign and unrestricted.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Romans 8: 1-2,14
I recently came across a phrase, “the quality of openness.” It means for me being freely accessible, receptive, to listen quietly, deeply with an open heart to what the prayer challenges me to do. It calls me to true piety, true devotion, perfect love.
“You shall love the lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39
Encoded within this prayer are patterns of practice shaped by how I live these words. Striving for a life of healing, wholeness and liberation, a life of mercy, love and delight. A life of prayer and study in which I discover again and again the very nature and being of God and God in us.
“Holy Spirit, take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord, to thee." (BCP, p. 321).
“Sweeten my heart and fill me with light, And give me the strength to understand and the eyes to see.
Help me, for without You I am nothing.” (excerpts from Black Elk’s Lakota Prayer)
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