Today I have a prayer for you.

Date: 26 February 2007 14:48:14

So much of the richness in language of what we rush through in church at congregational reading speed is lost. Every so often, I like to dwell on the words and figure out what we are really saying.

I've spaced them out, so it is easier to read more slowly. Pick a version (modern or trad) and read it a few times slowly. Do let me know what comes to you.

Collect for Lent from Common Worship (from here:

Almighty and everlasting God,

you hate nothing that you have made

and forgive the sins of those who are penitent:

create and make in us new and contrite hearts

that we, worthily lamenting our sins

and acknowledging our wretchedness,

may receive from you, the God of all mercy,

perfect remission and forgiveness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Or if you prefer the traditional one, here it is from the Book of Common Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God,

who hatest nothing that thou hast made

and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent:

Create and make in us new and contrite hearts,

that we, worthily lamenting our sins,

and acknowledging our wretchedness,

may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy,

perfect remission and forgiveness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

As I read/hear this every day in Lent I am finding that it is growing on me.

Two things that have really stood out are:
1 God does not hate anything He has made. He has made the whole of Creation. Everything and everyone can be redeemed.

2 perfect remission - a lovely phrase