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.

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Commontide
Collect
Saints & Holy Days

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, majestátem tuam súpplices exorámus: ut, sicut Unigénitus Fílius tuus hodiérna die cum nostræ carnis substántia in templo est præsentátus; ita nos fácias purificátis tibi méntibus præsentári. Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum.

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Original-language source · public domain

BCP 2019, p. 603

Proper Preface

Preface of the Presentation

Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Provenance

Gregorian, c.750

Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.

A prayer at least twelve centuries old, this collect was drawn almost word for word from the ancient Roman Gregorian Sacramentary and translated by Archbishop Cranmer for the very first Book of Common Prayer in 1549. Its single theological movement is the heart of the feast: Christ was presented in the substance of flesh at Jerusalem's Temple, and through him we are presented to God with purified hearts.