Commontide

For Guidance

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices; that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path we may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Touch screen to pause

Skip to main content
Commontide
Collect
Lent

Ash Wednesday

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

BCP 2019, p. 605

Proper Preface

Preface of Lent

You bid your faithful people cleanse their hearts, and prepare with joy for the Paschal feast; that, fervent in prayer and in works of mercy, and renewed by your Word and Sacraments, they may come to the fullness of grace which you have prepared for those who love you.

Found in the Prayer Book

This prayer appears in more than one place in the 2019 Book of Common Prayer.

  • Collects of the Christian Year
  • Ash WednesdayLent & Holy Week

Provenance

Cranmer 1549

Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.

Thomas Cranmer wrote this collect for the very first Book of Common Prayer in 1549, replacing a medieval Latin emphasis on fasting with a direct plea for new and contrite hearts drawn from Psalm 51. Its opening phrase echoes the ancient Ash Wednesday introit already sung in Sarum churches, a text from the Wisdom of Solomon.