Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 59

A Collect to Trust in Jesus

Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life, help us to live and trust in you, connected to you as you were connected to the Father, that death would have no sway over us and we would remain in your presence forever and ever, through you who sits enthroned on high with the Father and Holy Spirit in glory. Amen.

'Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"' - John 11:25-26

A Collect for Faith Even in Challenge and Loss

Holy Spirit, who moves in our hearts to accomplish your will, give us faith that can withstand disappointment and suffering, that when when face trials, pain, and loss, we would still look to you and trust in your goodness and power, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who clung to the Father in Gethsemane and was raised to new life through you. Amen.

'Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him."' - John 11:21-22

A Collect to Go With Jesus Wherever He Leads

Lord Jesus, who knew your time from the beginning, give us courage like Thomas to walk with you regardless of where you lead, trusting that even if we suffer with you, it is better to be with you in death than to live apart from your presence, through you who is the resurrection and the life in the power of the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."' - John 11:16

A Collect to Live in Christ's Light

Light of the world, who offers sight to all those who would receive you, help us to strive to live in your presence, that we might be shielded from error and tragedy and the enmity of those who would assail us and that we might know that your love will keep us always, through you who reigns in glory with the Father and Holy Spirit, one trinity of love and power forever. Amen.

'Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them." - John 11:9-10

A Collect to Trust God in Difficult Times

Gracious God, who is present to us in health as well as sickness, help us to trust that you are working out even the pain and suffering of this life to turn it to something good, that we might bear with patience our trials, looking forward to the day when all will be made right and we will see your glory in its fullness, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns in glory forever with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'But when Jesus heard it, he said, "This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."' - John 11:4

A Collect to Trust in God's Care and Provision

Good shepherd, who cares for us sheep with wisdom and tenderness, increase our faith and trust in you, that we would come to believe more and more that we lack nothing and that all we truly need would be provided by you, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit in perfect union of love and joy forever. Amen.

'The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.' - Ps. 23:1

Where am I anxious, and where do I struggle to remember that God takes care of me? Can I envision God providing for me in that space? What do I need to trust a bit more?

A Collect to See and Value As God Sees and Values

Omniscient Lord, whose eye misses nothing and sees through to our hearts, train us to see as you see, that we would neither value nor be drawn to wealth, power, status, and appearance, but seek our virtue and love in the heart, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who loved us to the end and sat down at your right hand in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."' - 1 Sam. 16:7

A Collect to Confess our Faults and Needs

Lord Jesus, who sees all things and knows our hearts better than we do, give us the courage to admit our failings, our need, and our sin that such things would be available to you to be transformed, and we might discover new sight and new life in you, through you who wields all power with the Father and Holy Spirit from heaven. Amen.

'Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind." Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, "Surely we are not blind, are we?" Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, 'We see,' your sin remains."' - John 9:39-41

Are there things I am loathe to admit? What might I feel is too shameful or problematic to own up to?

A Collect to Value People Even in Anger

Lord Jesus, who modeled for us patience and compassion, let not our anger drive us to become defensive or judgmental, that when we are in conflict, we would still recognize the value you place on your children and strive to yet love them, through you who gave of yourself completely and was elevated to the highest place with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'"If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." They answered him, "You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?" And they drove him out.' - John 9:33-34

How inclined am I, when I get angry, to get defensive? How easily to I judge others in my frustration? What would help me still see, even in frustration, that the person I'm looking at is precious to God?

A Collect to Not Become Overly Bound by Rules

Lord Jesus, whose joy it is to do good, help us to not become so wrapped up in rules that we lose opportunities to do your works in the world or prevent others from doing them, through you who performed miracles on earth and now does wonders in heaven together with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?" And they were divided.' - John 9:16