Collect appointed for Sunday, July 20th: O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.



As you may recall, a collect is a brief prayer that guides our hearts to ponder God’s majestic qualities. When we pray “collects,” we address God, make petitions, acknowledge the eternal unity of the Holy Trinity, and end the prayer with an “Amen.”

The above “Collect,” appointed for Sunday, beautifully highlights God’s almighty power. Using words like mercy, pity, and grace, it reframes how we see God's display of strength and might. As I read it, I remembered the Lord’s extraordinary revelation to Moses: “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

Although the word “pity” can imply disappointment or shame, it also denotes compassion, sympathy, and kindness. The online dictionary defines pity as “the feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering and misfortunes of others.” This description reflects the Lord Jesus, our great high priest, who has compassion on us because he empathizes with our trials and tribulations (Hebrews 4:15).



My final reflection on Sunday’s Collect is that it points us to the heavenly treasure we find in Christ. We are reminded that we are saved by grace. Every part of our lives has been made new! We share in God's promises! And, through his mercy, compassion, and grace, God gives us the strength to pursue the prize the Lord will reward us with on that Day! Therefore, with this good news in mind, may we confidently pray: O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord peace be with you!

Joe