Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 37

A Collect to Listen to Those God has Sent to Prepare Us

Lord Jesus Christ, who will come again to set all things aright, give us ears to hear those prophets whom you have sent, that we would believe your message and be ready for all that you have prepared for us, through you who reigns in glory with the Father and Holy Spirit, Lord God Almighty, now and forever. Amen.

'As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way."' - Mark 1:2

A Collect to Be Shaped by the Father's Hands

Father of all peoples, who has created us for your good pleasure, grant us humility and a willingness to be shaped by your hand, that we would be instruments for your mission in the world, trusting that as you do good with us, we will receive much more than we could ask or imagine, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in great joy forever and ever. Amen.

'Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.' - Isa. 64:8

A Collect for the World to Fear God

Almighty God, whose power is greater than all we could imagine, make your presence known to the world, that those who plot evil might fear for themselves and relent from their plans, and all the world might commit to your ways of peace and love toward one another, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who gave himself for the world and now reigns with you in heaven in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence-- as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil-- to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence!' - Isaiah 64:1-2

A Collect to Be Ready to Obey the Spirit's Call

Ever-present Spirit, who guides us should we be attentive, help us to be ready and able so that whenever you should call on us, we would be capable of following through with your will and thus serve the Lord well, fulfilling the mission of reconciliation and justice on the earth, through Jesus Christ our redeemer, who lives forever with you and the Father in perpetual glory. Amen.

'Therefore, keep awake--for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn.' - Mark 13:35

A Collect to Eschew Complacency

Spirit of wisdom, who speaks to us from your abundance of understanding, keep us from becoming complacent, that we would be ever watching and listening for your presence and work around us and be ready for what it is that you call us to do, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns forever with the Father in you, one God over all creation. Amen.

'Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.' - Mark 13:33

A Collect to Recognize What God is About

Lord of all creation, who comes to set things aright at the proper time, grant us eyes to see and minds to understand the signs of the times, that we would not be caught unawares but would recognize what you are about in us and in the world, through Jesus Christ our savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates." - Mark 13:28-29

A Collect for Jesus to Return Soon

Lord Jesus, who reigns in great power and glory, come soon from your throne and gather us together from the four corners of the earth, that all might be set aright and we would be in your presence fully with awe and joy, through you who ascended to the Father and Holy Spirit to reign in majesty and glory forever and ever. Amen.

'Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.' - Mark 13:26-27

A Collect for Jesus to Save

Son of Man, who wields great power on behalf of your people, come to us in our hour of darkness, suffering, and trembling, that we might be saved from our fears and from the terrors that we endure and find ourselves safe in your care, defended from all evils, through you who reigns in heaven forever with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God over all things. Amen.

"But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory." - Mark 13:24-26

A Collect to Experience the Power and Riches of God

Our Father in heaven, who reaches into the world to be with your people, enlighten our hearts that we would see and experience your presence here with us, believing in the hope and power and riches that are before us both now and at the end of the ages, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

'...so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.' - Eph. 1:18-19

A Collect for Wisdom and Vision

Father of glory, who has called us to a great hope in you, grant us a spirit of wisdom and insight, that we would see the good to which you have invited us and recognize the true treasure that awaits us as citizens of your heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and intercedes for us before you in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him.' - Eph. 1:17