Stir-Up Sunday

The Third Sunday of Advent is affectionately known in some circles as Stir-Up Sunday because of the collect appointed for this day:

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

I really liked Steve Pankey's blog entry on this prayer, entitled "Our Most Dangerous Prayer." Among other things he notes that we should be careful about what we pray for, and that if God answers this prayer the whole world changes. We must change!

His commentary can be found at Draughting Theology.