Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 61

A Collect to Look to Jesus in Need

Lord Jesus, who was lifted up for our healing, turn our eyes to you when we are in need, that as Israel looked on the serpent Moses mounted in the desert and were healed, we would find healing and relief from the troubles and dangers of this broken world when we turn and fix our eyes on you, through you who was both exalted and humbled and now lives in glory with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.' - John 3:14-15

A Collect to Trust the Spirit's Work

Lord Jesus, great teacher who speaks the wisdom we need, help us to accept and trust in your work and presence even when we do not see or understand it, that we might not seek to control what you are about but receive with gratitude all that you are doing in and around us, through you who reigns in heaven with the Father and Holy Spirit in mystery and glory. Amen.

"The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." - John 3:8

A Collect to See What God is Doing

Lord God, who does marvelous things for all of creation, give us eyes to see what you are about and the wonders that you evoke around us, that we would be so awed by your creation that our hearts would be filled with joy and we would be awed by you and your power and goodness, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who though buried in a tomb, was raised to life again by your power through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Nicodemus came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God."' - John 3:2

What might happen if I were to ask God to show me what the Lord is about around me?

A Collect to See and Enter the Kingdom of Heaven

High King of heaven, whose reign is one of justice and love, give us eyes to see your kingdom around us, that we would earnestly seek to enter it, to live by your laws and understand your ways and so receive the blessing of living the way you designed your children to flourish, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in perpetual glory, world without end. Amen.

'Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."' - John 3:3

A Collect to See and Confess our Ignorance

Gentle teacher, who is patient with us in our foolishness, give us eyes to recognize what we do not understand and courage to confess our ignorance and need, that in coming to you, we might be filled with new knowledge and wisdom that transcends the ways of this world and brings real life with you, through you who was and is and is to come with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?"' - John 3:3-4

A Collect for New Life

Lord Jesus, only begotten son of the Father, grant to us new birth, a new life that comes from the Father, and help us to grow in that new life that we would see the kingdom of God in our midst and live by the laws and customs of your reign, through you who gave yourself for our sake and was given life again to reign with the Father and Holy Spirit forever in glory. Amen.

'Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."' - John 3:3

A Collect to Trust God to be God

High king of heaven and earth, who reigns with justice and mercy from on high, teach us to trust in you as God and king, lest we seek to rule and control what we can apart from you, knowing that your will is good and your love will ultimately grant us all that we need and desire, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who submitted to you in obedience and was elevated to your right hand in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"' - Matthew 4:8-10

What parts of your world am I inclined to control apart from God? Where am I frightened to let God be God and instead try to manage on my own? What reassurance do I need from the Lord to yield to his will?

A Collect to Eschew Shortcuts that Lead to Destruction

Spirit of Christ, whose guiding words are deep wisdom, give us strength to resist the temptation of taking the quick and easy road, that we would not fall for shortcuts that only seem to lead us where we ought to go but instead take us away from the good you are seeking to do through your gradual process of change and growth, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who took the narrow if difficult path and attained resurrection and glory through your power and that of the Father. Amen.

'Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"' - Matthew 4:5-7

Are there shortcuts I am tempted to take to reach goals either spiritual or material? What is it about the long, slow path that makes me want to abandon it? What do I need from the Lord to help me trust in God's designs?

A Collect to Use the Scriptures Rightly

Lord God Almighty, whose word is truth and who knows all truth, keep us from twisting scripture in order to satisfy our own ends, that we would use the word of truth rightly, searching it to know and honor you above all and follow in your ways, through Jesus Christ our teacher, who walked in step with you through the Holy Spirit all the days of his life on this earth. Amen.

'Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"' - Matthew 4:5-7

In what ways am I tempted to justify myself because I want my own way?

A Collect to Hunger for God

Lord Jesus, who was tempted in the wilderness as we are tempted, keep us from working merely to satisfy ourselves, but may we hunger to know the Father and so exert ourselves to enter into the life that you have prepared for us, through you who lived without sin and now reigns in glory with the Father and Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

'The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"' - Matthew 4:3-4