Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 64
February 6, 2023
A Collect to be Light in the World
Holy Spirit, divine breath of God, may the goodness that you are working in us be a light to others, that they would see your goodness in the darkness and be drawn to it to receive safety, warmth, and community, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who by you and with the Father worked miracles on earth and then sat down on the throne of heaven in glory forever. Amen.
"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid." - Matthew 5:14
In what ways is the Spirit bringing out goodness in me? How does that goodness show up in contrast to the world? What might I need from the Spirit to be light instead of remaining in the darkness?
February 5, 2023
A Collect to Be and Remain "Salty"
Great teacher, who holds all the wisdom of creation, keep us from becoming indistinguishable from the world, that the world might see your children and be drawn to you, attracted to the goodness of your kingdom and the love that you share with all who will receive, through you who reigns in glory with the Father and Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot." - Matthew 5:13
Lord, in what ways are you calling me to be different from the world?
In what ways have I given in to the ways of the culture around me that are not like your kingdom and its citizens?
Are there ways that my values are not those that you showed to Israel and called your chosen people to spread to all nations?
Give me a humble heart to listen for your voice now, to admit to any ways that I have failed to become or remain "salty", and to receive the healing that you offer in your tender love.
January 27, 2023
A Collect to Be Used of God Regardless of Station
Lord Jesus, you call us out of ordinary lives, regardless of our station. Use us wherever we are at, whether kings or servants, and may our lives be of use to you and our fellowship be a joy to you, that all might be blessed and brought into relationship with you, who loves deeply all of your creation, through you who lives with the Father and Holy Spirit in perfect joy forever. Amen.
'As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them.' - Matthew 4:21
January 26, 2023
A Collect to Hear and Understand Jesus' Call
Lord Jesus Christ, who calls to us by name, we thank you for speaking in a language that we understand, giving us words that fit our world and our way of life yet call us into your greater kingdom. Give us hearts that respond to your words with joy that we would not hesitate to join your mission of love and redemption in the world, through you who is alive and reigns with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.
'As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people."' - Matthew 4:18-19
January 25, 2023
A Collect to Hear and Respond to God's Invitations
Lord Jesus, great shepherd to invites us into your fold, give us ears to hear your invitations, that we might respond immediately with joy to follow you, participate in your work, and be part of your kingdom as beloved servants and friends, through you who reign in heaven with the Father and Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.
'As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him.' - Matthew 4:18-20
January 24, 2023
A Collect for Repentance
Breath of God, who knows us deeper than we know ourselves, reveal to us those places where we still have not turned and set our faces towards you and your kingdom, that we would abandon such ultimately lifeless pursuits and be filled with your goodness, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Father in glory eternal. Amen.
'From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."' - Matthew 4:17
January 23, 2023
A Collect to Hear Again the Good News
Lord Jesus, prophet, priest, and king, proclaim to us once again the good news that the kingdom of heaven has come close that we might be encouraged to know that you are near to us, that we are not forsaken or abandoned, and that your goodness and love are available to us in every hour, through you who lives forever in glory with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.
'From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."' - Matthew 4:17
January 19, 2023
A Collect for Contentment in God's Choices for Us
Eternal God, who watches our work and play throughout all ages, teach us to find contentment and pleasure wherever you have placed us, that we, like Paul, might rejoice in you always and find satisfaction in the work you have placed before us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
'I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live.' - Ecc. 3:10-12
(We're off the lectionary today because I am sick, and this was one that was written a year ago but never posted.)
January 18, 2023
A Collect to See God At Work Around Us
Holy Spirit, whose power and wisdom enables us, give us eyes to see where you are in the world and what you are doing that we would not miss you when you pass by but would recognize you and join you and point to you that others might also see what you are about, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Father. Amen.
'The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!"' - John 1:35-36
January 17, 2023
A Collect to Witness of God
King of kings and judge of all nations, open our lips that when the opportunity appears, we might have words to witness to the world of your goodness and of the name of Jesus, your Son, through whom we have grace to stand in your presence and offer our requests before your throne. Amen.
"And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God." - John 1:34
