Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 34

A Collect to be Inspired to Talk to Others of God

Spirit of the Lord, who speaks wisdom in our hearts, so inspire us with joy at your presence and works, that we would naturally tell others of what you have done for us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who did miracles in great compassion and now reigns over all things with the Father in you. Amen.

'The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth."' - John 1:43-45

A Collect to Receive the Spirit's Power

Lord God of power, who hung the celestial spheres in their places, send your Holy Spirit upon us, that we might receive power to do good in the world, to fulfill your will and bring about your mission of love, justice, and compassion to all who would receive it, through Jesus Christ our redeemer, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God of glory, majesty, and might, forever and ever. Amen.

'When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.' - Acts 19:6

A Collect to be Reminded of God's Pleasure in Us

God of heaven, who stoops down to speak to your creation, give us reminders of your pleasure at our obedience to your will, that we would be buoyed by your encouragement and confident in your love and so able to continue on the way and continue working to complete your ministry of love in the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you in the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

'In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."' - Mark 1:9-11

A Collect to be Immersed in the Spirit of God

Anointed One, whom we are not worthy to serve, yet you have called us friends, immerse us in your Holy Spirit, that we would live in your very heart and mind, moving about in our days amidst the desires, will, joys and sorrows of our creator and Lord, through you who reigns in glory with the Father and blessed Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

'He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."' - Mark 1:7-8

A Collect to Glorify God Above Ourselves

Lord Jesus, whose power and glory are greater than all we could imagine, grant us a willingness to set aside our pride and our status to point toward you, that we would not take that which we do not deserve, and as you are exalted, you might graciously lift us up with you, through you who reigns with the Father and Holy Spirit in perpetual light and love, world without end. Amen.

'He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals."' - Mark 1:7

A Collect to See and Confess our Sins

Spirit of truth, our counselor who is closer than our breath, stir up in us a desire to see clearly our sins and faults and to confess them honestly, that we might be forgiven, made clean and able to walk in love and relationship with you, through Jesus Christ our savior, by whom we have access to your grace and that of our Father in heaven. Amen.

'John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.' - Mark 1:4-5

A Collect for Prophets to Speak the Truth of Our Faults

God of goodness and righteousness, who desires that all should walk in your ways, send your prophets and messengers to point to our faults and wrongs, that we would recognize where we must repent and would turn and seek your forgiveness and strive to live according to your law, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

'John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.' - Mark 1:4

An Epiphany Collect

Lord Jesus, king of Judea and of all creation, we praise and honor you for your goodness to us, your great power and authority, and your revealing of yourself to the world that all might be redeemed. May we live in a manner worthy of your creation and calling, that all would likewise turn and honor you, through you who reigns forever and ever with the Father and Holy Spirit in glory. Amen.

"Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." - Matthew 2:2

A Collect to Be Grateful for Our Redemption

Spirit of Christ Jesus, sent into our hearts to speak the truth, open us to the reality of being enslaved to sin and self-destruction, but open us also to your redemption and adoption of us as your children, that we would be ever grateful for your kindness towards us and desirous of being worthy of your calling, through Jesus Christ our savior, who reigns with the Father in you in perpetual light, now and forever. Amen.

'But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.' - Gal. 4:4-7

A Collect for Wisdom

Spirit of the Lord, who knows all and speaks things to your people great and small, fill us with wisdom and your favor, that we might grow strong according to your ways and thereby fulfill your desires for us in the world, through Jesus Christ our redeemer, who reigns with the Father through you in glory and knowledge and majesty forever. Amen.

'The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.' - Luke 2:40