Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 45

A Collect to Honor God in our Works

Three in One, whose joy in each other overflowed into the creation of all things, instill in us a desire to honor and remember you in all our works, that we might not merely perform our duties, but would do them in love for you and in thanks for the goodness that you have given us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with the Father and Holy Spirit reigns forever in glory. Amen.

'Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.' - Rom. 14:5-6

A Collect to Let God Judge Others

Almighty God, judge of all persons, forgive us when we judge one another, and teach us to hand that responsibility over always to you, that we might honor your authority and condemn not those in and with whom you are yet at work, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who loved us to the end and ascended to you in the Holy Spirit to reign in glory. Amen.

'Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.' - Rom. 14:4

A Collect to Be Gracious to One Another

Loving Lord, who has welcomed us into your kingdom as beloved citizens, help us to be gracious to those with whom we disagree, that we would build one another up and accept one another as you have accepted us in all our weaknesses, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in glory, one God, now and forever. Amen.

'Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them.' - Rom. 14:2-3

A Collect to Be Quick to Listen

Gracious God, who welcomes us with joy into your kingdom, keep us from being quick or eager to debate and to be right, that we might not be overcome with pride, but would be willing to listen and understand one another, patient and gracious with all, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns over us in perfect love with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions.' - Rom. 14:1

A Collect to Be Willing to Forgive

Gracious Father, who is patient with us stubborn and slow people, grant us understanding and forgiving hearts, that when another hurts us, we would be always willing to forgive, not demanding repayment from the wrong but remembering your goodness towards us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who died and was raised to new life through you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times."' - Matthew 18:21-22

A Collect to Live Well

Lord God, whose being is light and whose nature is goodness, teach us to live honorably, doing good while we still have the opportunity, that we would turn away from hurtful and uncontrolled behavior to follow in your footsteps of love and goodness in the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

'...let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.' - Rom. 13:13

A Collect to Step Into the Light

God of light and truth, from whom nothing is hidden, give us courage to set aside those things that are fit for hiding and secrecy and bring our whole selves into the light, that we might trust in your goodness and so be protected by the truth and by your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who proclaimed the truth and ascended to you in the Holy Spirit, to live forever in glory. Amen.

'The night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.' - Rom. 13:12

A Collect to Waken to the Condition of the World

Almighty God, who calls to us in scripture, creation, Spirit, and friend, rouse us from our stupor and slumber, that we would see clearly and with full awareness our condition and the needs of this world and so act with wisdom to fulfill your work here on earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

'Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.' - Rom. 13:11

A Collect to Seek Good for One Another

Lord God, whose Law protects us from harm, teach us to seek good for one another rather than merely to avoid what is wrong, that we might love one another well, doing no wrong because we intend good in all things, and all might be blessed by the love you share through us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who loved us to the end and ascended to the Father in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.' - Rom. 13:9-10

A Collect to Love One Another

Great Trinity of persons, who created us out of the overflow of your love for one another, fill our hearts with your love, that we would desire truly to love each other and so fulfill all you command and desire of us and have intended for us since before all things were made, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with the Father and Holy Spirit in joy forever and ever. Amen.

'Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.' - Rom. 13:8