“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone.” — 1 Timothy 2:1 (BSB)
“O LORD, hear my prayer; give ear to my petitions! In Your faithfulness and righteousness, answer me.” — Psalm 143:1 (BSB)
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name…’” — Matthew 6:9 (BSB)
Most collects follow a classical five-part structure: (1) Address to God, (2) a truth or attribute of God recalled, (3) the specific petition or request, (4) a purpose or result hoped for, and (5) a conclusion through Jesus Christ. This form is rooted in the early Church and preserved through centuries of liturgical use, especially in the Book of Common Prayer.
Canon Dr. Joel Scandrett (Trinity School for Ministry) writes, “A collect is theology turned to prayer. In just a few lines, it teaches us who God is, what we need, and how to ask Him in faith.”
Bishop Keith Ackerman (Diocese of Quincy, ACNA) explains, “The collect is one of the treasures of Anglican worship. It gathers the heart of the Church, uniting head and heart, doctrine and devotion.”
The 1662 Book of Common Prayer contains collects for every Sunday and major feast, many written or adapted by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. One of the most well-known is the Collect for Purity: “Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid…”
J.C. Ryle commended the collects for their clarity and reverence: “No uninspired prayers have ever been written which surpass the collects of the Prayer Book. They are full of Scripture, humility, and Gospel truth.” (Knots Untied, 1874)
Archbishop Foley Beach (ACNA) has said, “The collects teach the Church how to pray—biblically, faithfully, and beautifully. They are prayers we return to again and again, and they never wear out.”
Through the collects, the Church learns to pray in unity, with reverence, and in the spirit of Christ. These short prayers are not secondary—they are a central way we offer worship and form our hearts before God.
St. Basil the Great (c. 330–379 AD): “Let the prayers of the Church be brief, full of meaning, and addressed with awe. It is not many words, but true ones, that please the Lord.” — On the Holy Spirit, 29
St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD): “In our prayers, let us speak with simplicity and truth. Let us ask boldly, but not vainly—short prayers filled with faith are most effective.” — Letter 130
St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407 AD): “Prayers of the Church are like incense offered together. One heart, one mind, one voice—this is the power of the liturgy.” — Homily on Matthew, 6
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
St. Thomas Church
PO Box 873
Abbotsford, BC,
V2T 7A2, Canada
If you are interested in starting a St. Thomas Church in your area and or ordination path fill the contact card form.
St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.
