Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A collect is a short liturgical prayer, variable according to the day, the season of the church year, and the occasion. Collects for each Sunday are assigned according to the church year and are all listed in the Book of Common Prayer.

There is some crazy weather happening down here in the south, and I know that northerners will balk at the 6 inches of snow that Winston-Salem, NC got this week, but it really is a big deal down here.  Since we don’t regularly have winter weather, the cities can’t justify purchasing proper equipment to deal with snow.  So, just a prayer for those in the snowy south – enjoy it and stay safe!

Today it was VERY COLD!  When I went to work, the Weather Channel said it was “29, feels like 23.”  And I know that I’m in Georgia, and it’s much colder in a lot of other places.  My prayer today is that those who do not have a place to call home are able to find someplace warm where they can get out of the cold.  My heart goes out to these people.

I haven’t been feeling well today – I’ve been battling a sore throat, and today I’ve been so achy (headache, sinus pressure, the works).  Today’s prayer is that I can throw this off and not feel sick – we’re getting to close to the holidays for me to take time to be sick!

I finally found my favorite commercial of all time on YouTube!  It’s a commercial for Publix, which is the best grocery store chain down here in the South.  This commercial came out about 10 years ago, and it fits with my prayer today.  So many people go hungry, and I pray that everyone will find it in their heart to somehow give a little food to those who are needy this year.  I’m giving a grocery store gift certificate to the family that we’re sponsoring at work.

And now, my favorite commercial: