On this final rogation day, I invite you to consider what you are sowing in your work, in your family, in yourself. In this time, what seeds are in your hands? Take some time to offer these seeds to God, to seek blessing and provision, and to recognize that it is God alone who brings the growth.
Perhaps you might even compose your own collect. Collects are short, topical prayers that follow a general format. They begin with an address to God followed by a reflection on God's character then a supplication and finally an appeal to God's glory. In the Book of Common Prayer, many of the collects are responses to the lectionary readings. As you consider composing a Rogation collect of your own, you might start with a passage of Scripture that addresses rain or seed or labor (Mark 4:1-9 and Ephesians 2:1-10 are good places to start if nothing comes to mind). As you read ask what does this passage say about God? How does it draw me to follow God? What grace should I seek in order to follow God?
As an example, I spent some time with Genesis 8:22 as God gives the seasons as a sign of His covenant with Noah.
While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.
I might write a collect like this:
Almighty and Everlasting Father, you show your mercy in the seasons and changes of our lives, grant that we may know your presence in all times and give you thanks as we begin and as we end the various tasks you set before us, through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit now and for all time. Amen.
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