Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 51

A Collect to Orient Ourselves Towards God

Holy Father, whose ways are higher than our ways and whose thoughts are above our thoughts, grant us the strength to orient our lives and bodies toward you, that we would be increasingly capable of living as those alive in you and doing that which is good and fitting in whatever situation we find ourselves, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

'No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness.' - Rom. 6:13

A Collect to Resist Temptation

Spirit of the Lord, who speaks in our hearts great truth and wisdom, grant us strength to resist the temptations of this world and the base desires of our flesh, that we might live not for pleasure or vice, but for the joy that comes from the life you have offered to all, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who died and was raised to life eternal in the presence of the Father through you. Amen.

'Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions.' - Rom. 6:12

A Collect to Choose Real Life

Lord of life, who desires that all should embrace the good you have prepared for your creation, keep us from clinging to old and destructive ways of being, that despite the struggle and pain of change, we would not miss out on the true life that you offer to us and so find what our hearts desire, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in glory forever. Amen.

'Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.' - Matthew 10:39

A Collect to Anticipate but Endure Conflict

Mighty Lord, who commands all the armies of heaven, keep us from the temptation to believe that your presence with us will keep us from trouble and danger, so that we would not be surprised when conflict comes but would trust that your care would bring us through to the other side, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who suffered for confessing you and your ways and sat down at your right hand in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." - Matthew 10:34

A Collect to Remember the Lord's Care

Gentle Father, who would not break a bruised reed or snuff a smoldering wick, remind us of your constant care and attention, that we would ever feel the care that you give us and would rest knowing that we are ultimately safe in your eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

'Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.' - Matthew 10:29-31

A Collect to Not Fear the Threats of Mere Humans

Almighty God, who holds the power of life and death, teach us to put our security in you and in your eternal power, that we would not fear those who threaten and assail us here on earth, but recognize that we are ultimately safe with you who will receive us in eternity in the proper time, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who was attacked by evil men but was raised to new life by you through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.' - Matthew 10:28

A Collect for Trust in God in the Face of Evil

Creator God, who abides outside of time for all that is exists within you, give us patience when we see and seek to remedy the injustices of the world, that even as we work for good, we will trust in your timing, knowing that you will bring to light all hidden secrets of those who work in darkness at the appropriate time, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known." - Matthew 10:26

A Collect to Remain Stable in the Face of Insults

Gracious Lord, whose love extends even to those who hated you, keep our hearts secure in you, trusting in your love and in your way of living in the world, that we would not be shaken by those who would assail and persecute us for doing good and would remain worthy ambassadors for your kingdom, though you who is alive and reigns with the Father and Holy Spirit in heaven. Amen.

'If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!' - Matthew 10:25

A Collect to Be Like Jesus

Lord Jesus, who is seated on the throne of heaven and reigns over all creation, grant us the grace to become like you in all ways, that we might be bearers of life, love, justice, and humility and so fill the whole earth with your goodness, through you who was raised to new life by the Father through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master." - Matthew 10:24-25

A Collect for Patience in Difficulty

Patient Father, who stands outside of time yet enters in for our sake, give us vision and wisdom to understand the good in our struggles, that we might endure with patience the difficulties of this life and walk in your kingdom with hope, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who suffered as we do and was raised to new life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.' - Rom. 5:3