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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.

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Commontide
Collect
The Holy Eucharist

The Collect for Purity

The Holy Eucharist — Anglican Standard Text

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Deus, cui omne cor patet et omnis voluntas loquitur et nullum latet secretum, purifica per infusionem sancti spiritus cogitationes cordis nostri, ut perfecte te diligere et digne laudare mereamur.

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Original-language source · public domain

Found in the Prayer Book

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

  • Holy Eucharist Anglican Standard Text · as “The Collect for Purity”The Holy Eucharist
  • Communion Of The Sick · as “Almighty God, to you all hearts are open”Ministry to the Sick & Dying

Provenance

Carolingian, c. 9th c. / Cranmer 1549

Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.

One of the oldest prayers in Anglican worship, this collect opened the Holy Communion when Cranmer placed it there in 1549, though its Latin roots reach back to Carolingian Mass supplements associated with Alcuin of York. Cranmer quietly rewrote two words, removing any hint of earned merit from the original and recasting a priestly whisper into a congregational act of surrender before the Eucharist.