Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 33

A Collect to Apply Our Wisdom to the Kingdom of God

Lord God of wisdom, who knows all things and offers what is needed to your children, show us how to take the wisdom we have already and turn it towards your kingdom, that your mission of reconciliation and love might progress in this world, and the whole earth would be filled with your ways, through Jesus Christ our savior, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever in glory. Amen.

'As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea--for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people."' - Mark 1:16-17

A Collect to Live as if the Good News is True

Lord Jesus, who spoke the good news to Israel that all the world might hear, grant us strength and willingness to step out and live as if the good news is real, that out lives would reflect the truth that you have spoken and the reality of your presence and goodness surrounding all things, through you who reigns in glory forever with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God of love and great joy. Amen.

'Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."' - Mark 1:14-15

A Collect to Change our Hearts

Spirit of the Lord, who speaks truth to our hearts, show us if there is some way that you desire us to change our hearts, that we might trust in the goodness of your ways and hold fast to the things that matter to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with the Father in you, one God of goodness, ruling in love and mercy and justice forever. Amen.

'Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."' - Mark 1:14-15

A Collect to Trust that the Kingdom is At Hand

Loving God, who has said all that is necessary for your people to understand and yet speaks more, help us to believe that your kingdom truly is at hand, that we might step into your care and learn from your ways to be truly of your people, through Jesus Christ, the gate into your kingdom, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in perpetual glory, now and forever. Amen.

'Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."' - Mark 1:14-15

A Collect to Hear and Recognize God Speaking

Lord God, whose voice formed the universe and yet speaks also to us small pieces of creation, help us to be ready to hear and listening for when you call to us, that we would recognize when you speak and would be ready to listen and respond, obeying your commands and joining in all that you are about, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who listened always for you and was exalted to the highest place in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."' - 1 Sam. 3:10

A Collect to Set Aside That which Traps Us

Spirit of wisdom, who knows what is best for us for you created us, show us those things that we have given ourselves over to that are not sound for our health or well-being, that we might give up our addictions and those things that entangle us and be free and strong to love and serve you when you call, through Jesus Christ our redeemer, who gave up much but received all, having sat down at the right hand of the Father in you. Amen.

'"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything.' - 1 Cor. 6:12

A Collect to See What God is About

Anointed One, bridge between earth and heaven, open our eyes that we might see the great things that you are doing among us and our hearts would be filled with awe and joy at all that you are about, through you who created all things and now reigns over them with the Father and Holy Spirit in great glory forever and ever. Amen.

'Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."' - John 1:50-51

A Collect to be Quick to Trust and Follow Jesus

Lord Jesus, who has known each of us since before we were born, may we be as quick as Nathanael to believe in you, that we would trust in your power and goodness towards us and would be willing to follow and obey whatever you ask, through you who with the Father and Holy Spirit set the world in place and now reigns over all things in glory forever. Amen.

'Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"' - John 1:48-49

A Collect to Speak the Truth with God

Holy Spirit, our counselor and wisdom, keep us from fearing to speak what we truly feel with you, for you love the truth, and in so doing, may our bond with you grow stronger as we reveal the truth of ourselves to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Father in perpetual glory in heaven. Amen.

'Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!"' - John 1:46-47

A Collect to Set Aside Our Preconceptions

Indwelling Spirit, our ready connection to the presence of almighty God, help us to step beyond our preconceived notions, that we might not miss something marvelous that you are doing and would be ready to join in the work that you are about in the world, through Jesus Christ our redeemer, who did not appear to be anything special yet now reigns with the Father in you in glory and majesty forever and ever. Amen.

'Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."' - John 1:46