Proper 27
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.
Composed in 1661 by Bishop John Cosin of Durham for the 1662 revision of the Book of Common Prayer, the first English prayer book to provide a collect for a sixth Sunday after Epiphany, this prayer draws its language almost entirely from 1 John 3, petitioning that we purify ourselves in hope of being made like Christ at his return. In 1979 it was moved to its current late-autumn position, where the lectionary begins its turn toward Advent.