Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 62
February 26, 2023
A Collect for Discipline to Ready Ourselves for the Work of God
Lord Jesus Christ, who was obedient to the Spirit on earth, grant us the fervor and commitment that you had when you fasted in the wilderness, that we would likewise prepare ourselves well for the work you give us to do, becoming ready to act with mercy, justice, and humility, through you who died, is risen, and will come again in glory through the power of the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.
'Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.' - Matthew 4:1-2
Are there disciplines that the Spirit may be inviting me into to strengthen my spiritual life or ministry?
February 25, 2023
A Collect Against Inordinate Attachments
Lord God, who gave us the world as a blessing, keep us from becoming overly attached to this world, that we would not become dependent upon thing that deteriorate and which do not meet the needs of our hearts but would recognize the good things you have prepared for us both in this world and the next, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit offer entrance into your great kingdom of love. Amen.
'Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.' - Matthew 6:19-21
If I were to ask God what things I were attached to that are unwise for me, what might the Lord say?
February 24, 2023
A Collect to See Self-Centered Motivations
Whispering Spirit, who speaks to us in our hearts should we listen, reveal to us the desires and motivations of our hearts, that we might see where we seek ourselves rather than you, to elevate ourselves rather than to lift up others. Grant us the willingness to turn to your ways, trusting in your goodness toward us already, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
"Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven." - Matthew 6:1
Are there ways where I am seeking to benefit myself rather than to care for others? Are there ways I try to use religion and spiritual things to look good to others or inflate my sense of self-worth rather than to allow God to work in me?
Am I willing to let the Spirit show me such things in my heart that could make me uncomfortable? What do I need from the Lord to see such truths?
February 23, 2023
A Collect for Comfort in Fear
Lord Jesus, gentle shepherd, place your hand on our shoulders and bring comfort when we are afraid, that we we not be overwhelmed but be strengthened by your presence and be able to continue on, trusting in your abundant love, through you who is alive and is worshipped in heaven with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.
'But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid."' - Matthew 17:7
What fears might Jesus be inviting me to acknowledge and offer to him?
February 22, 2023
A Collect to Store Up Moments of Wonder
Lord Jesus Christ, upon whom the glory of heaven rested in front of the disciples, help us to hold on to moments of joy and revelation in our hearts, knowing that they are only for a short time, that rather than despairing when they disappear, we would be able to return to them in memory to remember the wondrous things you have done, through you who reigns with the Father and Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.
'And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. ... And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.' - Matthew 17:2-3, 8
Are there moments where God has appeared to me or given me a gift that are worth holding on to? What places of connection and joy would be good to recall to remember God's goodness? Let me spend a few moments remembering such a time and resting in the experience and the emotions that God blessed me with from it.
February 21, 2023
A Collect to See Beyond Our Needs and Desires
God of wisdom, who knows what we need better than we ourselves, let not what we want your ways to be like get in the way of the truth of your ways, that we might step beyond ourselves and see you and your ways clearly and grow to walk not as we desire but as you desire, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns forever in glory with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
'Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!"' - Matthew 17:4-5
Lord, are there places where what I want to be true interferes with my ability to hear you and recognize the truth?
February 20, 2023
A Collect in Anticipation of Being Transfigured like Jesus
Lord Jesus, son of the Most High, you were transformed and your glory shone for the disciples to see on the mountain. Transfigure us by your power at the appropriate time, that we would be made perfect as you are perfect, and the holiness of the Father would envelope us as citizens of the kingdom of heaven, through you who reigns with the Father and Holy Spirit forever in perpetual light. Amen.
'Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.' - Matthew 17:1-2
What does the thought of potentially being transfigured like Jesus was at the end of the age inspire in me? Longing? Fear? Confusion? Guilt? Joy? What does Jesus want to say to me about that future time and about my thoughts and feelings now?
February 19, 2023
A Collect for Hearing When to Go Aside with the Lord
Lord Jesus, whose joy would radiate light if we could but see it, give us willing and receptive hearts to recognize when you are leading us to hidden places, that we would know when it is time to step away from the distractions of the world and might find glimpses of glory that leave us changed to be like you, through you who now reigns in glory forever with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.
'Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.' - Matthew 17:1
Might God be asking me to go somewhere away from the world to watch and listen for something he desires to do? If appropriate, how might I set aside time to listen and be with the Lord undistracted? What does the idea of spending extended time with God away from other things stir up in me?
February 18, 2023
A Collect to Speak Truth
God of truth, in whom there can be no deception or guile, give us hearts that desire to speak nothing but the truth, that we would become completely trustworthy to our neighbors, wise stewards of our words whose integrity can be relied upon, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who spoke great truths to us before ascending to you and granting us the Spirit of truth to remain among his children. Amen.
"Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one." - Matthew 5:33-37
February 17, 2023
A Collect for Willingness to Cut Off That Which Hinders
Holy God, whose nature is perfect and defines for us the shape of virtue, give us the courage to sacrifice those parts of our lives that hinder us, that we would not be dragged down by our attachments but would choose foremost that which brings life and blessing, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who showed us the way of laying down our lives and so opened the way to you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
'If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.' - Matthew 5:29-30
Take a moment to ask God: what attachments do I have that lead me into sin or keep me from entering into the life God intends for us?
What do I need from God in order to be willing to let go of those attachments?
