Anglican liturgical scholar the Reverend Bosco Peters who writes the well-known liturgy.co.nz blog, has released free digital copies of his full set of collects for the liturgical year, which are also available as a spiral-bound book. In this volume, Peters has selected and reworked ancient collects that have been shared across centuries and across denominations.

The’Book of Prayers in Common' opens with a clear and succinct description of the collect itself, a prayer which gathers together the scattered thoughts and prayers of the gathered community as they enter into the liturgy of the Eucharist.

Rev Bosco explains how the word “collect” comes from the Latin word for 'gathering': collecta, and can
– gather a litany (a list of prayer petitions) together into a final, single prayer, or
– gather the silent prayer of the people together into a single prayer. 

"The collect when well understood and aptly used can powerfully gather the community, deepen our prayerfulness, and profoundly express much at the heart of Christian spirituality." he writes.

Bosco Peters' prayers in this now freely available digital book have been shaped from years of liturgical research and experience, feedback from around the world and in-depth study of the role and function of the collect prayer.

As well as providing prayers for use, the book's introduction serves as a primer on the form and function of the collect itself.

The 'Book of Prayers in Common' comprises collects for one year and includes collects for specific festivals, as for the Baptism of Christ, which link the theme of the day to a deeper spiritual truth.

Everliving God, 
you have given us your only-begotten Word 
to take on our nature, 
and to be revealed to us 
at the baptism in the River Jordan; 
grant that we, 
who have been born again of water and the Holy Spirit, 
and made your children by adoption and grace, 
may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; 
through Jesus Christ, 
who is alive with you, 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and for ever. 
Amen.

Peters' Book of Prayers in Common leans into the depth of history behind the collects, and their shared resonance across Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions.

"These prayers are ancient." he writes.

"If you could go back some sixteen centuries, you would often find Christians praying the same prayer, on the same day, as we do today." 

First published in 2013 and now revised in 2026, Bosco Peters' collection aims to rework collects into the 21st century context where language has changed, while keeping open-ended themes that aim for resonance for Christians in any time and place.

Some collects pray for peace:

Grant, O God, 
that the course of this world 
may be directed by your peaceful governance, 
and that your church may be joyful as, 
in confidence and serenity, 
we serve your purpose; 
through Jesus Christ, 
who is alive with you, 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and for ever. 
Amen.

(Collect for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Others pray for an increase in faith:

O God, 
you have prepared for those who love you 
good things which no eye can see, 
and which surpass our understanding; 
pour into our hearts such longing for you, 
that we, loving you in all things and above all things, 
may obtain your promises, 
which exceed all that we can desire; 
through Jesus Christ, 
who is alive with you, 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and for ever. 
Amen.

(Collect for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

And still others for freedom in Christ:

Sovereign God,
it is your will to gather up all things in your beloved one,
reigning in the universe in the power that is love;
mercifully grant 
that the whole of creation, freed from slavery,
may serve and praise you;
through Jesus Christ,
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(Collect for The Reign of Christ)

In his introduction to the volume the Rev Bosco Peters encourages Anglicans to make sure they understand and include the collect to gather prayers into their services of holy communion.

"As you pray the prayers in this book, know that you take your place within the great company of Christians who have prayed these prayers throughout history and continue to do so around the world today."

You can find the different printed and digital formats of this book at www.liturgy.co.nz/book-prayers-common.