Dean’s Bulletin Board 11.27.2017: A Collect

| Posted By Charles Gaston

A wonderful collect from the late 1800s from the Church Association (forerunner to the Church Society).  Though nearly 125 years old, it’s a prayer worth praying today.

For reference, it’s Tract 133 and more can be learned from here:  http://churchsociety.org/blog/entry/collect_for_use_in_the_present_crises/

“ALMIGHTY GOD, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, hear, we beseech thee, for his sake, who is our Great High Priest, the prayer of thy servants on behalf of our reformed Church, which in thy good providence has been established in this land. Thou hast graciously preserved it hitherto, and hast bestowed upon it, not-withstanding its sins against thee, many tokens of thy loving kindness. Look upon it now, O God, in thy mercy, and bring to nought all the evils, with which it is threatened. Deliver it from all false doctrine, heresy and schism, purify its worship from the admixture of weakness and superstition; and preserve it from being again brought into bondage to human ordinances.

Give unto all its Bishops the spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind; that at this season of peril and perplexity they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the same, and grant unto all its Clergy that they may remember their solemn promise to teach the people committed to their charge out of the Scriptures, and enlighten them with the true knowledge and understanding of Thy word, that they may be good ministers of Jesus Christ. Grant also unto all, both of the Clergy and Laity who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity that they may stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel and supported by the assurance that the Lord reigneth, and will in his own time vindicate his sovereignty, and glorify himself on the earth.

Receive, we pray thee, O Heavenly Father, these petitions which thy servants make in the name of thy well-beloved Son; and do abundantly above all that they can ask, according to the riches of thy mercy in Christ Jesus, who is the Great Head of the Church, and who with Thee, O Father, and with Thee, O Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth one God, world without end. Amen.

 – Andrew