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Every Sunday we typically read the Collect of the Day.
What is a Collect? (Pronounced KOL-ekt with emphasize on the first syllable.)
The Collect acts as a focal point for prayer, gathering the congregation's thoughts and prayers into one succinct petition to God, often related to the specific day's themes and readings.
Specifically, a Collect is a short form of prayer in three parts - an address to God, a petition (special request), and a conclusion, followed by Amen - and associated with specific occasions and liturgical seasons.
As an example, here is our collect for this Sunday:
(1) Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life:
(2) Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life;
(3) through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
(4) Amen.
The collects in the Book of Common Prayer are mainly translations by Thomas Cranmer from the Latin prayers for each Sunday of the year. Thomas Cranmer (1489 – 1556) was a theologian, leader of the English Reformation and the Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and, for a short time, Mary I. He is honored as a martyr in the Church of England.
Although the exact origin of the word Collect is unknown, it comes from the Latin word collēcta, which means the gathering of people together. It may have been applied as the name of the prayer said before the procession into the church when Mass was celebrated.
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