The collects that were published as part of the new Common Worship texts had a somewhat mixed reception. As a result, a new set of texts has been commissioned. But is it just the texts that need revision – or something more fundamental? After looking at the recent debates, the origins of the form and the shape of collects today, this booklet argues for a new approach to replace the very large number of collects in Common Worship with a smaller range for use in seasons and on special occasion. This radical proposal could potentially restore collects to being, once again, memorable and therefore useful as ‘prayers of the heart’.
