Dictionary

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Baptism

Baptism involves declaring faith in God and being washed with water. It means being cleansed from sin, being united to Jesus Christ, receiving his Holy Spirit and becoming God’s children. Sometimes called ‘Christening’.

Collect

A collect is a short prayer used in liturgy, for example towards the beginning of the Eucharist. It often reflects the themes of the particular season of the Church’s year. Its name comes from the idea that it ‘collects’ together the lessons of the service readings.

Holy Communion

At Holy Communion blessed bread and wine is shared, by which we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The congregation gives thanks for Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection and his continuing presence. See also Eucharist.

Lent

Lent is the six-week period leading up to Easter. It is a particular time to confess sin and to seek personal and collective renewal (a ‘springtime of the spirit’). Lent has a special focus on Jesus’s journey to the cross and prepares the Church to celebrate his resurrection.

Prayer

Prayer sustains our human relationship with God and may involve words (formal or informal) or be silent. Prayer can involve adoration (‘I love you’), confession (‘sorry’), thanksgiving and supplication (‘please’).

Home Publications Prayers Prayers: The Second Sunday of Lent

Prayers: The Second Sunday of Lent

O Heart of Compassion,
who weeps for the lost and gathers the wandering with tender arms,
awaken in us a fierce love that mirrors Your own.
When the voices of fear and doubt shout to deter us,
grant us the courage to rise, embracing the vulnerability of connection.
May we not shy away from the call to shelter the broken,
recognising that in each embrace, we find the pulse of Your grace.
Let our hearts be wide open,
like the city You longed to gather,
as we nurture the seeds of hope in the soil of our shared humanity.
In our striving, remind us that true strength lies in vulnerability,
where love transforms our fear into a sanctuary for all. Amen.

God of love,
As we travel to Jerusalem,
keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Bless us as we minister in your name
and demonstrate your love.
This we ask in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

God of love,
As we travel to Jerusalem,
keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Help us to see through the darkness
and truly understand how much you love us.
This we ask in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Collect 44

Almighty God,
you show to those who are in error the light of your truth,
that they may return to the way of righteousness:
grant that all who are admitted
into the fellowship of Christ’s religion, may reject those things
that are contrary to their baptism,
and follow in the way of Jesus Christ our Lord;
who is alive and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

The Revised New Calendar and The Contemporary Collects