Commontide
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations, and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
BCP 2019, p. 605
Preface of Lent
You bid your faithful people cleanse their hearts, and prepare with joy for the Paschal feast; that, fervent in prayer and in works of mercy, and renewed by your Word and Sacraments, they may come to the fullness of grace which you have prepared for those who love you.
Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.
This collect is attributed to the Oxford church historian William Bright (1824-1901) and entered the prayer-book tradition with BCP 1979, which adopted it for the First Sunday in Lent in place of Cranmer's 1549 fasting prayer. It addresses the appointed Gospel directly: Christ led by the Spirit to face Satan, and God "mighty to save" each of us in our own temptations.