Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 52

A Collect to Remain at Peace with God and Others

Almighty God, holy and beyond our understanding, we praise you for your willingness to reach down to us and to justify us despite our sin and rebellion. Grant us your grace to reach back to you, that we would remain at peace with you and, as much as we are able, with all those whom you have created, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who died and was raised to new life in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' - Rom. 5:1

A Collect to Meet the Needs of the World

Lord Jesus, who sends out your disciples to do good in the world, grant us compassionate hearts and capable hands, that we would meet the needs of those whom we encounter wisely and well and thusly show the world your love for all, through you who came to redeem those you love and now intercedes for us with the Father through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.' - Matthew 10:8

A Collect to Encourage All Those whom We Touch

Spirit of Christ, who knows the needs and desires of all people, keep close to our lips the message that your goodness and love is near, that all those we come into contact with might be lifted up by the reassurance that you care for them and that they matter to their Father in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father in unity with you, one God, world without end. Amen.

"As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.'" - Matthew 10:7

A Collect to Care for those Who Have No One

Lord Jesus Christ, who has great compassion for the poor and needy, give us hearts that care for those for whom there is no one to care for them, that we would be like our Father, who has compassion on all his children and desires that none be lost and alone, through you who took on our frail flesh and now intercedes for us with the Father and Holy Spirit in heaven. Amen.

'When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.' - Matthew 9:36

A Collect for Willing Hearts to Do Good

Lord of the harvest, who has provided in advance good works for us to do, grant us willing and compassionate hearts that we would go into the world to show your love to all those who are willing to receive it, through Jesus Christ, our great teacher, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns in glory on high, world without end. Amen.

'Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."' - Matthew 9:37-38

A Collect for Mercy and Compassion

Good shepherd, who cares for your sheep and knows each by name, have mercy on us when we are lost and troubled, that in our distress we would yet have hope because we can trust in your guidance and protection, through you who is alive and reigns in heaven with the Father and Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

'When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.' - Matthew 9:36

A Collect to Endure Mockery Well

Lord Jesus, who endured much for the sake of those you love, give us strength to endure the taunts of those who laugh at our trust in the Father, that we would still go about the work you have given us and might even love those, knowing they do not understand what they do, through you who was glorified and raised to new life by the Father through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'He said, "Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him.' - Matthew 9:24

A Collect to Seek Jesus's Presence

Lord Jesus Christ, who is surrounded by power and goodness, grant to us faith that believes in the power of your presence, that we might long to come close to you and be transformed by your power and love, through you who died and rose to new life and is seated at the right hand of the Father in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well." Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." and instantly the woman was made well.' - Matthew 9:20-22

A Collect to Remember Our Need of God's Mercy

Almighty God, who is great in mercy and forgives much, let us not forget our need of you and the truth that we are sinners in need of your grace, that we would turn to you always in humility, trusting not in our righteousness, but in your goodness to those who call on you, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in glory. Amen.

"Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." - Matthew 9:13

A Collect to Be Devoted to God's True Desires for Us

Almighty God, who gave us the Law for our good and not your own, teach us what you truly desire of us, and let us take it in to our souls, that we would not focus on secondary matters but would devote ourselves to your ways of justice, mercy, and humility and so be children of our Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

"Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." - Matthew 9:13