Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 54

A Collect Asking for the Gifts of the Spirit

Holy Spirit, the presence of God within our very souls, grant to us gifts of your power and presence, and keep us from stifling them, that your message would be spread throughout the world and many would be inspired to seek you and enter the kingdom of heaven, including even us who share your words, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns in heaven in glory with the Father in you. Amen.

'In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.' - Acts 2:17

A Collect to Be Untroubled by Rejection

Lord God, who has been rejected by your creations since the beginning, let us not be surprised or dismayed when people mock us for doing your will or living according to your ways and power, knowing that they are not rejecting us but you and that our task is love as you love and let others respond as they choose, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who was despised and rejected but received new life and now lives with you and the Holy Spirit in glory. Amen.

'But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."' - Acts 2:13

A Collect to be Filled with the Holy Spirit

Almighty Father, whose power knows no limits, fill us with your Holy Spirit and impart to us those gifts that you have chosen for us, that we would be enabled to demonstrate to the world your presence and power and continue as your hands and feet in the world, fostering reconciliation to all people and glorifying your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in glory forever. Amen.

'When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.' - Acts 2:1-4

A Collect for Pentecost

Almighty God, who on this day sent your Holy Spirit to rest upon your children, grant that we would believe the presence of your Spirit within us, that we would attend to the words of the one who counsels and convicts and would receive power to continue your work of reconciliation in the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

'When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.' - Acts 2:1

A Collect to Devote Ourselves Continually in Prayer

Caring God, who hears all that we ask of you, as we wait for your return and for your word and invitations to us in the world, do not let us fail to continually present ourselves before you with petitions and praise that our bond with you would be continually strengthened and we would be ready to do your will when the time is ready, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever in glory. Amen.

'All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.' - Acts 1:14

A Collect Calling for Jesus' Return

Lord Jesus, who was taken up into heaven after your ministry in Israel, return to us soon, that the world might be set aright and we would join you in the fullness of your kingdom, through you who reigns with the Father and Holy Spirit in perpetual light, now and forever. Amen.

'They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."' - Acts 1:11

A Collect to Be Content Not Knowing

Indwelling Spirit, who abides in us and in whom we are invited to abide, help us to be content not knowing those things which we do not need to know, that our trust in you and your wisdom and guidance would grow and sustain us and our faith would be secure in the goodness of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with the Father in you forever and ever. Amen.

'He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority."' - Acts 1:7

A Collect for Power to Fulfill God's Mission on Earth

Almighty God, through whom all things were made and by whom all power is bestowed upon creation, grant us power through your Holy Spirit within us, that we might carry on your mission of reconciliation throughout the earth and all people would enter into your kingdom and your ways, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:8

A Collect for Protection in This World

Holy Father, who bestows glory and blessing on whomever you choose, protect us from evil and shield us in the name of Jesus, your son, that we could continue to walk in this world safe and unafraid, fulfilling the works you have given us to do and thankful for your care, through Jesus Christ our Lord, whose glory is yours and who returns glory back to you with the Holy Spirit who shares the glory of the Father and the Son. Amen.

'And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.' - John 17:11

A Collect of Thanks for God's Offer of Life

Almighty God, through whom all creation receives life and breath, we thank you for extending your hand to us that we might grasp hold of you and partake the undying life of the Trinity, through Jesus Christ our Savior, who demonstrated your life to us and now lives with you and the Holy Spirit in glory forever. Amen.

'And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.' - John 17:3