Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 42
October 21, 2023
A Collect to Set our Minds on What is Good
Wonderful counselor, who is closer than our very breath, draw our minds and hearts always toward that which is good, that we would be ready to do that which is honorable, just, and pleasing to the Lord and so be true children of our Father in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who set a perfect example that we should follow and now abides forever in glory. Amen.
'Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.' - Phil. 4:8
October 20, 2023
A Collect to Not Worry
Lord Jesus, who pointed us to the carefree lives of flowers, teach us to worry for nothing, that we might trust in the Father, presenting our needs and desires before the throne and resting in you as much as we are able, through you who is alive and reigns in heaven with the Father and Holy Spirit in peace and joy eternal. Amen.
'Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.' - Phil. 4:6
October 19, 2023
A Collect for Gentleness
Loving Lord, of whom Isaiah declared, "He will not break a bruised reed," teach us to be gentle people, that, like you, we would be careful with those around us, loving them well in ways that respect their fragility yet draw them towards new life, through you who loved your followers to the end and were raised to life by the Father through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
'Let your gentleness be known to everyone.' - Phil. 4:5
October 18, 2023
A Collect to Delight in All Things
God of glory, who ever delights in every aspect of creation, teach us to rejoice as you do, taking joy in all things, that we might be a people who reflect your character and nature and enjoy the world that you have created for us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in perpetual glory, now and forever. Amen.
'Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.' - Phil. 4:4
October 17, 2023
A Collect of Thanks for God's Generosity
High King of heaven, who is generous with all that you possess, we thank you for inviting us to feast and celebrate with you in your kingdom, that your joy might be also our joy, and your goodness and generosity would overflow into all the world, through Jesus Christ your son, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in wonder and glory, forever and ever. Amen.
'"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet."' - Matthew 22:2-3
October 16, 2023
A Collect to be Worthy of God's Gifts
Great King of all kings, whose reign encompasses all that was and is and shall be, help us to be worthy of your invitations and gifts, that we would honor you with our presence and join in your celebration of life and love in this world and the next, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is worthy to receive all praise and now reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
"Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy.'" - Matthew 22:8
October 15, 2023
A Collect to Not Spurn the Spirit's Invitations
Ever-present Spirit, whose wisdom exceeds all that which humanity has garnered, keep us from spurning your invitations and rejecting you offers, that we would neither offend you nor fail to receive the good gifts you set before us and might enjoy the feasts that you have prepared, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father in you, world without end. Amen.
"'Again he sent other slaves, saying, 'Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.' But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them." - Matthew 22:4-6
October 14, 2023
A Collect to Desire to Follow Jesus
Spirit of truth, who speaks to our hearts, enflame in us a desire to follow Jesus so much so that we are willing to embrace even his suffering and death, that we might gain true life in this world and the next, through Christ our Lord, who was raised from the dead and ascended to the Father in you to reign in love forever and ever. Amen.
'I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.' - Phil. 3:10-11
October 13, 2023
A Collect to Truly Value Christ
Redeemer of our souls, who emptied yourself to take on our finite frame, open our eyes to see your inestimable value, that we would be willing to sacrifice anything in order to be connected to you and live in your presence, through you who with the Father and Holy Spirit created all things and upholds them with your infinite power. Amen.
'For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.' - Phil. 3:8
October 12, 2023
A Collect to Set Aside the Glory of this World
Indwelling Spirit, counselor and guide to life in the Kingdom, help us to see the futility of those things that do not lead us to life with you, that we would be willing to regard all things as unnecessary and so be capable of setting them aside in order to draw closer to Christ, through him who with you and the Father created all things and reign over them in perpetual glory, love, and honor. Amen.
'Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.' - Phil. 3:7-8
