Interim Collects 

For use with 
Common Worship

These Collects have no official status. They are the work of an individual layman in response to the pastoral needs of a particular congregation. The official collects have been so poorly received that the General Synod has commissioned another set. These collects may serve in the meantime.

Ministers who judge  the official set of collects unsuitable in particular circumstances may also judge that Canon B5.1 allows them the freedom to make amendments or substitutions. These collects simplify the language of the official collects while attempting to retain the substance.

First Sunday of Advent
Almighty God,
your Son joined our mortal life in great humility.
May we reject the works of darkness
and put on the armour of light
so that on the last day,
when he comes again in glorious majesty
to judge all the living and the dead,
we may rise to immortal life.
This we ask through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Second Sunday of Advent
O Lord,
our sins and wickedness
hinder us from running the race that is set before us.
Raise up your power; come amongst us,
strengthen us with your great might;
in your bountiful grace and mercy
speedily help and deliver us.
This we ask…
Third Sunday of Advent
O Lord Jesus Christ,
at your first coming you sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you.
Grant that we may prepare and make ready your way
by turning our disobedient hearts to your just wisdom,
so that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found acceptable in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father…

Fourth Sunday of Advent
God our Redeemer,
you prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary,
who looked for his coming as Saviour,
to be the Mother of your Son.
May we be ready also to greet him
when he comes again as our judge.
This we ask…
Christmas Eve
Almighty God,
each year we rejoice at the birth of your Son Jesus Christ.
As we joyfully receive him as our Redeemer,
grant that we may stand before him with confidence
when he comes again to be our judge.
This we ask…

Christmas Midnight
Eternal God,
you made this most holy night
shine with the brightness of your one true light.
Bring us,
who have seen the revelation of that light on earth,
to see the radiance of your heavenly glory,
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive…
Christmas Day
Almighty God,
on the first Christmas Day
your only Son took on our nature
and was born of a pure virgin.
We are your children,
born again and adopted in our baptism.
May we be daily renewed by your Holy Spirit,
through Jesus Christ…

First Sunday of Christmas
Almighty God,
you wonderfully created us in your image
and still more wonderfully restored us
through your Son Jesus Christ.
He came to share in our humanity:
grant that we may share in the life of his divinity.
This we ask through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive…
Second Sunday of Christmas
Almighty God,
in the birth of your Son, the incarnate Word,
you have shown the fullness of your love.
Help us to walk in his light
and live in his love
so that we may know the fullness of his joy.
This we ask…
Epiphany
O God,
you manifested your only Son
to the peoples of the earth by the leading of a star.
In your mercy,
grant that we, who know you now by faith,
may at the last behold your glory face to face.
This we ask…
Baptism of Our Lord
Eternal Father,
at the baptism of Jesus
you revealed him to be your Son,
anointing him with the Holy Spirit.
Grant that we, who are born again by water and the Spirit,
may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children.
This we ask…

Second Sunday after Epiphany
Almighty God,
you make all things new in Christ.
Transform our poor nature by the riches of your grace,
and make your heavenly glory known in the renewal of our lives.
This we ask…
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Almighty God,
your Son revealed the wonder of your saving presence
in signs and miracles.
Renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your mighty power.
This we ask…
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
God our creator,
in the beginning you commanded the light to shine out of darkness.
Let the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
dispel the darkness of ignorance and unbelief.
Let it shine into the hearts of all your people
and reveal the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns…
Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple
Almighty and ever-living God,
on this day your beloved Son, made in our flesh,
was presented in the Temple.
May we be presented to you with pure and clean hearts
by your Son Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns…

Fifth Sunday before Lent
Almighty God,
we are accepted and called to your service
by your grace alone.
Strengthen us by your Holy Spirit
and make us worthy of our calling.
This we ask…
Fourth Sunday before Lent
O God,
you know we are surrounded by many perils and temptations,
which our human nature cannot always resist.
Give us your strength and protection
to support us in all dangers
and carry us through all times of trial.
This we ask…
Third Sunday before Lent
Almighty God,
you alone can bring order
to the unruly wills and passions of sinful humanity.
Give your people grace to love what you command
and desire what you promise,
so that in this changing world
our hearts may be fixed where true joys are to be found.
This we ask…
Second Sunday before Lent

Almighty God,
you created the heavens and the earth
and made us in your image.
Teach us to see your hand in all your works
and your likeness in all your children.
This we ask…

Sunday next before Lent
Almighty God,
your Son was revealed in majesty
before he suffered death upon the cross.
Give us grace to perceive his glory,
that we may be strengthened to suffer with him
and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory.
This we ask…
Ash Wednesday
Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing you create
and forgive the offences of all the penitent.
We lament our sins; we are wretched.
O God of mercy,
make in us new and contrite hearts,
put all our sins away,
and give us complete forgiveness.
This we ask…
First Sunday of Lent
Almighty God,
your Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness,
and was tempted as we are, but did not sin.
Give us grace to discipline ourselves
in obedience to your Spirit;
and, just as you know our weakness,
so may we know your power to save.
This we ask…
Second Sunday of Lent
Almighty God,
you show to those who are in error the light of your truth,
so that they may return to the way of righteousness.
Grant to all who are admitted to the fellowship of Christ
the courage to reject what is contrary to the Faith
and grace to follow his commandments.
This we ask…

Third Sunday of Lent
Almighty God,
your dearest Son had first to suffer pain before ascending to joy,
and was crucified before entering into glory.
Grant that we may walk the way of the cross,
and find it the way to eternal life and peace.
This we ask…
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Merciful Lord,
in your goodness
forgive your people their offences.
Do not bind us by our sins
which we have committed in our frailty.
This we ask…
Mothering Sunday
God of compassion,
your Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary,
shared the life of a home in Nazareth
and drew all the human family to himself on the cross.
Strengthen us in our daily lives
so that your powerful presence
may bind us together in joy
and heal us in sorrow.
This we ask…
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Most merciful God,
you delivered and saved the world
by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ.
He suffered on the cross:
grant that by faith in him
we may triumph in the power of his victory.
This we ask…

Palm Sunday
Almighty and everlasting God,
in your tender love towards the human race
you sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take our flesh
and to suffer death on the cross.
May we be patient and humble as he was,
so that we too may share his resurrection.
This we ask…
Maundy Thursday
God our Father,
you have invited us to share in the supper
which your Son gave to his Church
to proclaim his death until he comes again.
May he nourish us by his presence
and unite us in his love.
This we ask…
Good Friday
Almighty Father,
our Lord Jesus Christ gave himself
to be betrayed into the hands of sinners
and to suffer death upon the cross.
Look with mercy on this your family;
make us holy, and watch over us always.
This we ask through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and glorified with you…
Easter Eve
Lord,
we are baptised into the death of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Grant that we may put to death our evil desires
and be buried with him,
that after the grave we may pass through the gate of death
to our joyful resurrection.
We ask this through the merits of your Son,
who died, was buried, and rose again for us,
and is alive and reigns…

Easter Day
Lord of all life and power,
through the mighty resurrection of your Son
you overcame the old order of sin and death
to make all things new in him.
Grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory.
This we ask through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be praise and honour, glory and might,
now and through all eternity.
Second Sunday of Easter
Almighty Father,
you gave your only Son to die for our sins
and to rise again that we might be saved.
Teach us to forsake malice and wickedness
so that we may serve you
with pure and true hearts.
This we ask…
Third Sunday of Easter
Almighty Father,
you gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord.
May we too know his presence with us
and, strengthened and sustained by his risen life,
serve you continually in what is right and true.
This we ask…
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Almighty Father,
your Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life.
We trust in him:
raise us from the death of sin to the life of righteousness,
that we may seek those things that are of heaven,
where he lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit…

Fifth Sunday of Easter
Almighty God,
your only-begotten Son overcame death
and opened to us the gate of everlasting life.
We desire good through your grace:
give us your help to build the Kingdom on earth.
This we ask…
Sixth Sunday of Easter
God our Redeemer,
you have saved us from the power of darkness
and brought us into the Kingdom of your Son.
By his death he has given us life:
may his continual presence raise us to eternal joy.
This we ask…
Ascension Day
Almighty God,
we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ
ascended to the heavens.
May we also ascend in heart and mind
and dwell with him for ever.
This we ask…
Seventh Sunday of Easter
O God the King of glory,
you have raised your only Son Jesus Christ
triumphantly to your kingdom in heaven.
Do not leave us comfortless,
but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
and raise us also to heaven,
where our Saviour Christ lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the same Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Pentecost
O God,
at Pentecost you taught the hearts of your faithful people
by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit.
Send us your Spirit too
that we may see the truth in all things
and always rejoice knowing he is near.
This we ask…
Weekdays after Pentecost
O Lord, 
you are the source of all good things.
We are your humble servants:
inspire us to good thoughts
and guide us to good deeds.
This we ask…
Trinity Sunday
Almighty and everlasting God,
by your grace we confess the true faith:
we acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity
and in the power of the divine majesty we worship the Unity.
Keep us steadfast in this faith,
that we may always be defended from all evil.
This we ask…
First Sunday after Trinity
O God,
you are the strength of all who trust in you.
Because of the weakness of our mortal nature
we cannot do good without you:
give us the help of your grace,
the we may keep your commandments
and please you in what we think and do.
This we ask…

Second Sunday after Trinity
Lord, you have taught us
that all we do without love is nothing.
Send your Holy Spirit
and pour into our hearts your gift of love,
the true bond of peace and all virtue,
for anyone living without love is dead before you.
This we ask…
Third Sunday after Trinity
Almighty God,
you have broken the hold sin has over us
and have given us the Spirit of your Son
so that we can call your Father.
May we use this freedom in your service,
that we and all creation may know the true freedom 
of the children of God.
This we ask…
Fourth Sunday after Trinity
O God,
you protect all who trust in you,
and nothing is strong, nothing is holy without you.
Show us your mercy,
so that with you as our ruler and guide
we may pass through the trials of this world
and not lose our hold on the things of the next.
This we ask…
Fifth Sunday after Trinity
Almighty God,
you govern and sanctify the whole Church
with your Holy Spirit.
Hear our prayer for all your faithful people,
that they may serve you in holiness and truth
to the glory of your name.
This we ask…

Sixth Sunday after Trinity
Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you
good things that we cannot comprehend.
Pour into our hearts a love for you
in all things and above all things,
and grant us what you promise,
which exceeds all we can desire.
This we ask…
Seventh Sunday after Trinity
Lord of all power and might,
all good things come from you.
Make us to love your name,
increase our faith,
and in your great mercy
continually nourish us with your goodness.
This we ask…
Eighth Sunday after Trinity
Almighty Lord and everlasting God,
make our hearts and bodies upright and holy
to follow your laws
and do what you command,
so that with your protection, now and always,
we may enjoy eternal life.
This we ask…
Ninth Sunday after Trinity
Almighty God,
you sent your Holy Spirit
to be the light and life of your Church.
Open our minds to the riches of your grace,
that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
in love and joy and peace.
This we ask…

Tenth Sunday after Trinity
O Lord, hear our prayer.
Teach us to speak and pray
that we may please you in word and deed,
walk the way of truth
and find fulfilment in your love.
This we ask...
Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
O God,
you show your almighty power
by your mercy and pity.
Give us your grace, we pray,
so that, running the way of your commandments,
we may receive what you promise
and share in your heavenly treasure.
This we ask…
Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
Almighty and everlasting God,
you are always more ready to hear that we are to pray,
and you give us more than we desire or deserve.
Pour down upon us your great mercy,
forgiving us what burdens our conscience,
and giving us those good things
for which we dare not ask
except through the mediation of 
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns…
Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity
Almighty God,
you called your Church to bear witness
that in Christ you reconciled the world to yourself.
Help us to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may be drawn to you.
This we ask…

Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
Almighty God,
your only Son opened for us
a new and living way into your presence.
Give us pure hearts and steadfast wills
to worship you in spirit and in truth.
This we ask…
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Almighty God,
in your generous mercy
you sent the Holy Spirit on your Church
 in the burning fire of your love.
Grant that your people may be fervent 
in the fellowship of the Gospel,
and, abiding in you,
be steadfast in faith and active in service.
This we ask…
Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
O Lord,
hear the prayers of your people who call on you.
Make us see and know
the things we ought to do
and give us grace and power
faithfully to do them.
This we ask…
Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
Almighty God,
you made us for yourself,
and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you.
Pour your love into our hearts;
draw us to yourself;
and bring us at the last to the heavenly city
where we shall see you face to face.
This we ask…

Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
Almighty and everlasting God,
increase in us your gift of faith
that, forsaking our former lives
and reaching out for the life you offer
we may run the way of your commandments
and win the crown of everlasting joy.
This we ask…
Nineteeth Sunday after Trinity
O God, without your saving grace
we are not able to please you.
Mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit
may rule and direct our hearts to every good thing.
This we ask…
Twentieth Sunday after Trinity
God, the giver of life,
your Holy Spirit wells up within your Church.
Give us the gifts of the Spirit:
equip us to live the gospel of Christ
and make us eager to do your will,
that we may share with all creation
the joys of eternal life.
This we ask…
Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity
Merciful Lord, grant us pardon and peace.
Cleanse us from our sins 
that we may serve you untroubled in conscience.
This we ask…
Last Sunday after Trinity
Blessed Lord,
you caused the holy Scripture to be written for our learning.
Help us to hear them,
to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them,
that we may persevere in faith
and never lose the hope of everlasting life.
This we ask…

Fourth Sunday before Advent
Almighty and eternal God,
you have lit the flame of love in the hearts of the saints.
Grant us their faith and love;
let us rejoice in their triumphs
and sustain us by their example and fellowship.
This we ask…
Third Sunday before Advent
Almighty Father,
it is your will to restore all things
in your beloved Son, the King of all.
Govern the hearts and minds of those in authority.
Bring the family of nations,
divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,
to be subject to his just and gentle rule.
This we ask…
Second Sunday before Advent
Heavenly Father,
your blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil
and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life.
We have this hope:
may we purify ourselves as he is pure,
so that when he appears again in power and great glory
we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom,
where he is alive and reigns with you…
Christ the King
Eternal Father,
your Son Jesus Christ ascended to his heavenly throne
to rule over all things as Lord and King.
Keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit
and the bond of peace,
and bring all creation to worship at his feet.
This we ask…