Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 47

A Collect to Do Good to One Another

Head of the church, who leads us toward all that is good and true and beautiful, lead us to use our skills, abilities, and gifts for the good of one another, that no part of your body would suffer, but all would be elevated and cared for, and the whole church would enjoy true life together, through you who enjoy oneness with the Father and Holy Spirit in perpetual glory, forever and ever. Amen.

'For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.' - Rom. 12:4-8

A Collect to Be One Body of Christ

Three in one and one in three, in whom we live and move and have our being, set in our hearts a deep understanding of our life as one body, that we might both depend upon and support one another and so reflect your trinitarian life of unity and love here on earth, through you who lives forever in glory as one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.' - Rom. 12:4-5

A Collect to Cast off Pride

King of all kings, who took on the life of a servant, show us where we harbor arrogance and self-importance, that we might humble ourselves and see ourselves aright, casting off self-importance and becoming ever more content to lift up one another so that the whole community is blessed, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who gave us an example and was exalted to your right hand in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.' - Rom. 12:3

A Collect for Renewal of Our Minds

Spirit of Truth, who knows all that was and is and is to come, renew our minds through your knowledge and wisdom, that we would know how to discern your will and so be able to follow you into what is good for you, for us, and for all the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Father in perfect unity, one God, world without end. Amen.

'Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect.' - Rom. 12:2

A Collect to Not be Conformed to the World

Spirit of God, who works in the minds and hearts of those who cling to you, keep us from living according to the rules and culture of the world, that we would not value passing and broken treasures nor give in to sins that corrupt the soul, but would embrace your ways and your values, to live as we were made by your own design, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in glory everlasting. Amen.

'Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect.' - Rom. 12:2

A Collect for the Will to Present Ourselves to God

Lord God of Heaven, king above all kings and master of all that exists, grant us willing hearts that we might present ourselves to you day by day, moment by moment, giving ourselves to your service and your work in our hearts so that we might become acceptable to you, most holy Father, through your son, Jesus Christ, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in perfect union, one God, now and to the end of the ages. Amen.

'I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.' - Rom. 12:1

A Collect for Increased Faith

Lord Jesus Christ, whose compassion is great towards all your creation, increase our faith that we might be capable of trusting in your goodness and power and so receive from you all that we need, through you who descended to the dead but rose again through the power of the Father and Spirit of Almighty God. Amen.

'Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.' - Matthew 15:28

A Collect for Humility to Receive God's Gifts

Spirit of wisdom and conscience, who speaks truth to those who are willing to hear, grant us humility to accept our low position, so that we would recognize that all that we receive from you is not what we deserve, but a gift from one whose generosity is greater than we can know, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Father in glory, one God, now and forever. Amen.

'But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.' - Matthew 15:25-28

A Collect to Admit the Evil in Our Hearts

Holy Spirit, who dwells within us and knows the deep places of our hearts, grant that we should be willing to admit to ourselves and to you the evil intentions within us, that we might offer them to you and with your help purify our souls of all that defiles, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Father Almighty reign over heaven and earth and in the souls of all who are willing to enter your kingdom. Amen.

'For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.' - Matthew 15:19-20

A Collect to Recognize What is In Our Hearts

Great teacher, whose wisdom may guide all toward real life, teach us to pay attention to what we say and do, that we might recognize what is in our hearts and so know what sin we bear and what healing we need and thereby know what help to ask of you, through you who reached down to your beloved children and then ascended on high to the Father and Holy Spirit in glory. Amen.

'But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles.' - Matthew 15:18