What is a Collect

A collect (emphasis on the first syllable) is a collective prayer, gathering our thoughts and prayers as a congregation. Sometimes a collect is called a "proper" because it is proper (that is, appropriate) to pray it on a given day. There are two collects in our service of Holy Communion: the Collect for Purity, and the Collect for the Day.

The Collect for Purity

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Compare the thoughts of this collect with Luke 8:17; Romans 2:16; 1 John 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8.

The Collect for the Day

The Collect for the Day is a prayer from the ancient Church or Reformation era that precedes the reading from the Old Testament. There is a special Collect for the Day for every day of the year. Saint Luke's posts the current collect on the main page of this web site.