What is a Collect?
Exploring an ancient form of prayer.
I first became aware of Collect’s during a course on Protestant spiritual traditions. It was formatted so that we would have one day-long class related to one tradition, and then a month to finish the assignment from that tradition. (Yes, there are more than five Protestant traditions.) One class was devoted to the Anglican tradition, and this is where I first encountered Collects.
However, it was through an Expressive Arts group that I really began the practice of writing my own Collects and it’s been a huge blessing in my prayer life. This is what I learned about Collects from that group.
Understanding Collects
The Collect has beautiful form,
Like a haiku of intention.
~Pádraig Ó Tuama, Irish poet and theologian
A Collect (pronounced KOL-ect) is a simple prayer that finds in roots way back in the fifth century. These prayers are short, concise, and help you get to the heart of your desire in five simple steps.
It’s a disciplined way to pray Scripture that helps us to remember God’s work in the past, and look forward to the future.
Today you find Collect’s in the Catholic and Anglican tradition as part of their Daily Offices. (Side note: They may be found in other Christian traditions, like the Orthodox or Coptic church but I don’t know enough about these traditions, and I don’t want to speak out of place so I’m sticking to a Western understanding.)
Here’s the five steps to writing your own Collect:
Name God.
How are you going to address God?
Loving Father.
Creator.
Comforter.
Reflect on the name you chose.
What does that name mean to you?
Loving Father: who cares for me in times of trouble.
Creator: The One who knows me better than I know myself.
Comforter: who sits with me when I’m feeling sad.
Name what you desire.
What are you seeking from God?
Reflect on your desire.
How come that desire is important to you?
Name God again, or praise God.
Loving Father: In the name of the Father who knows me.
Creator: You created the world around me and filled it with your imagination.
Comforter: You are the God who sits with me in times of sadness.
Here’s an example from the Anglican Daily Offices. A Collect For Social Justice:1
Almighty God, you created us in your own image: Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and help us to use our freedom rightly in the establishment of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Here’s an example of one I wrote based on Psalm 27:
Sheltering God,
Who hides me in secret places.
Help me explore all the rooms in your tent,
so that I may go deeper and deeper into my relationship with you.
I’ll praise you as I live in your house.
Amen.
The reason I’m bringing Collect’s to your attention is because I will be launching the Friday Collect Series in the New year, and I wanted to give you a little bit of background of what this beautiful prayer is all about.
Each Friday evening I’ll send a new Collect directly to the inbox of my subscribers, with an image, and a question to ponder. If you’d like to receive my emails, would you consider subscribing?
I love writing, and I’m so thankful that I have a place to share what I’ve written. If you enjoy reading Gracious Tension, would you consider becoming a free or paid subscriber?
I found this Collect from the Anglican Church of Canada at https://www.dailyoffice2019.com/collects. It’s number forty-three, and is found in the 2019 edition of The Book of Common Prayer. I highly recommend checking this resource out. There are so many prayers on this website!