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This Collect recalls the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost when flames appeared on the heads of the disciples after a great wind from heaven had blown through their house. Breath is often used as a way of describing the Spirit of God. Christians believe that through the things God has done, and is doing, the world will be renewed and the kingdom of love and peace will be established.
(Collect for the Day of Pentecost)

This prayer gives us a way of understanding what Christians believe the Holy Spirit does in our lives. 'Transforming' or 'changing' us, leading us and equipping us with skills and strength to serve God. 'Equipping' is a way of saying 'giving'.

In this prayer there are many ideas about God and the way that Christians understand what the Holy Spirit does for families and relationships.

In this Collect there is hope as we see that Christ, the light of the world, brings a 'new day'. The Ash Wednesday Collect mentions sin and this one talks about 'hell'. Just as there are different ways to think about sin there are different ways to think about hell. One of the best ways to think of hell is as being separate from God, separate from the values and love that faith in God brings to us and separate from our friends and loved ones.
(Collect for Easter Day itself)

This Collect does two important things. Firstly it tells us that Christ is risen from the dead. It does this very simply by using the word 'risen' twice. Secondly it asks for us to become like the disciples and to tell the story of what Jesus said and did - before and after Easter. That is what 'proclaim your risen life' means.
(Collect from Easter Day to Pentecost)

A prayer for Christmas which has a lovely theme of light within it. We can see in this prayer that the 'light' of God is seen through the things that we do and say.
Illumine means 'make clear' or 'shine on'.

The word 'discipline' in this Collect is not used to mean 'punishment' but to mean 'following a pattern or example'. The example we are asking to follow is that of Jesus; his life of prayer, teaching and self-sacrifice. The word mystery is a very well known way of describing the wonderful things that Jesus did that are written in the gospels many of which led him to suffer.
(Collect for any time in Lent)

This prayer shows what the love of God really means and how it works in practical ways. The Bible readings help us see that these good things happen when we follow God's values and commandments.

A lovely inclusive prayer which celebrates the many people living in the world. The second part of the prayer is a call of praise to God which reminds us of the call of the crowds on Palm Sunday and is a picture of the worship of the saints and angels in heaven, in which we share.