Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 43
October 11, 2023
A Collect to Cease Fighting Against God's Kingdom
Lord Jesus, the chief cornerstone of the Father's kingdom, keep us from unknowingly fighting against you and your ways and open our eyes to see where we might already be doing so, that we would not mistakenly be harming ourselves and those around us by acting against you and rejecting the laws of your kingdom, through you who triumphed over sin and death and will have victory over all those who oppose you in the ultimate reign of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
"The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls." - Matthew 21:44
October 10, 2023
A Collect to Produce Fruit of the Kingdom
Spirit of God, who fills our hearts and moves throughout the whole earth, shape our hearts that we would produce fruit in accordance with your ways and your kingdom, that we would be true citizens of the kingdom of heaven and live as Jesus lived, overflowing with love, joy, and peace in the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns over all things with you and the Father, one God, world without end. Amen.
'Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.' - Matthew 21:43
October 9, 2023
A Collect to Value what Jesus Values
Lord Jesus, who lifts up the lowly and casts down the proud, teach us to not reject that which you value, that we might not miss what is truly important and would embrace the things that form the very foundation of your kingdom, through you who dined with the poor and outcast and now reign from heaven with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.
'Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes'?"' - Matthew 21:42
October 8, 2023
A Collect to be Willing to Hear God's Message
Heavenly Father, who desires that all might know truth that would bring us life, grant us willing hearts to receive your messages, that we would not ignore, reject, or even abuse those you send to speak to us, but would accept what you proclaim, even if we do not wish to hear, and so take in words that ultimately will grant us life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
"Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another." - Matthew 21:33-35
October 7, 2023
A Collect to Abandon our Pride
Great teacher, who gave up your glory for our sake, teach us to abandon all pride and lust for glory, that we would be free to empty ourselves as you did, willing to take the lowest place out of love for one another, through you who was exalted again to the throne of heaven, seated with the Father and Holy Spirit in perpetual glory. Amen.
'Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.' - Phil. 2:5-7
October 6, 2023
A Collect to Look To One Another's Needs and Interests
Good Shepherd, who ever looks out for us, your flock, teach us to pay attention to one another's needs and interests, that we might care for one another well and so be united as your church, one body bound together in you and for you, through you who reigns above in majesty and glory with the Father and Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
'Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.' - Phil. 2:3-4
October 5, 2023
A Collect to Be Willing to Change our Minds
Gentle Lord, who humbled yourself to take on the nature of a servant, let not our hearts be filled with pride and certainty, that we would be flexible enough to change our minds when you present us with your truth and goodness, and we would believe in what you are about in us and in the world, through you who was exalted to the highest place with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.
'For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.' - Matthew 21:32
October 4, 2023
A Collect to Be Convicted When We See Others' Goodness
Gracious Father, whose desire is for all to come into your kingdom, may our hearts be convicted of our failings when we see others walking in your kingdom ways, that we would turn to you for salvation and so be transformed more and more into your likeness, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit shines brighter than the sun as you reign from heaven forever. Amen.
'For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.' - Matthew 21:32
October 3, 2023
A Collect to Recognize True Righteousness
Lord God, whose nature and character is goodness, teach us to recognize what true righteousness is, that we would believe those who speak of your justice, mercy, and humility and seek to fulfill your righteousness on earth as it is fulfilled in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in glory forever. Amen.
'For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.' - Matthew 21:32
October 2, 2023
A Collect for Passion to Enter the Kingdom
Firstborn of the Kingdom of Heaven, whose reign is full of justice and mercy, fill our hearts with passion to enter your kingdom, that we would not be left behind and so fail to participate in your culture of love, joy, and peace, through you who lives and reigns forever and ever with the Father and Holy Spirit in glory. Amen.
'Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you."' - Matthew 21:31
