The Abbey is collecting collect prayers for our Election Day Vigil, and we would love one from YOU! Never written a collect? It’s not difficult! You follow a prescribed pattern or formula to “collect” many aspects of prayer into one, short, poetic, offering.
1. Address God
2. Name an attribute of God
3. Petition & purpose (related to number 2)
4. Ask this in the name of God, Jesus, or the Trinity
5. End with “Amen”
Here is an example from Morning Prayer. See if you can identify all the parts.
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN. Write a collect using this election time as inspiration.
Post your collect in the “LEAVE A REPLY” section below and we will use it on Election Day
10 Responses
God of Love, you are the source of all goodness in this world; inspire us, as Saint Paul exhorts, to love one another with mutual affection; to outdo one another in showing honor; to be ardent in spirit; to rejoice in hope; to be patient in suffering; to persevere in payer; to contribute to the needs of saints; and to bless those who persecute us all so that we may live peaceably in harmony with one another and thus bring your Kingdom to earth. We ask this in the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
God of tender mercy, your Son brought glad tidings to a world in need of hope, and freedom to those captive by the systematic injustices of the Empire; fill us with your Spirit, that we may seek your will and become agents of hope, liberation, and joy. Through the honor of your glorious name. Amen.
THANK YOU!
O God, whose presence lights the way through even the murkiest of times: Shine brightly on us as we elect our leaders; that we would see and choose the Way of Love that you have set before us, and in so doing make manifest your glorious presence. We ask this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thank you, Amy!
Lord God, who is making the heavens and the earth; God of love, mercy, peace, justice, and concord, we pray for the election of leaders who will embody these values in spirit, mind, and action. We ask this in the name of the Holy Spirt. All glory is yours, now and forever. Amen.
God of righteousness and justice, you weep with those whose life, liberty, and dignity are overlooked and abused. Bless us with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation, and fuel us with the compassion of Christ to become agents of change in the world. We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, who is our brother and Savior, through the power of the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide. Amen.
Wonderful!
Loving God, you spoke through your servant Isaiah of a peace-bringing leader who will be named Mighty God and have the government on his shoulders. As we navigate this current season of worldly election and governance, keep us ever-mindful of the divine leadership and unending governance that you bestowed on the world through your son Jesus Christ. Open our hearts to hear His loving counsel and guidance in all facets of our lives; in our voting, in our relations, in our whole way of being. Through Him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, we pray; Amen. (Scripture inspiration: Isaiah 9:6-7)