Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 65

A Collect to Cleanse Ourselves in Preparation for the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, voice of wisdom and truth, guide us and show us how to cleanse our hearts well, that as we make room in our souls, you would reveal yourself and find room to abide within us, filling us with your love and power, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who showed us the way to the Father and now reigns with him in you, forever and ever. Amen.

"I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." - John 1:31

A Collect of Thanks for Jesus' Gift

Lion of Judah, you who reigns as king above all kings, thank you for taking the character of the sacrificial lamb, that our sin might be atoned for. Keep us perpetually standing in awe of your goodness, your willingness to give so much for the sake of we who need so much and who can give back only a fraction of what you have given, through you who is alive and lives with the Father and Holy Spirit in glory forever. Amen.

'The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"' - John 1:29

A Collect to Accept God's Forgiveness

Blessed Jesus, who has given us your name as entrance to the Father, grant us faith that believes in the forgiveness that you offer, that we would both recognize our need but also rejoice in your invitation, trusting that we are reconciled with you through your generosity and sacrifice, through you who reigns over all things with the Father and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

"All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." - Acts 10:43

A Collect to Testify of Jesus with Boldness

Lord Jesus, ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead, you have given us the authority and the mandate to be witnesses to you and what you have done for us and in the world. Give us also the words and courage necessary to speak, that we might testify with confidence to the world, preaching of your love and power when the Spirit gives the opportunity, through you who reigns with the Father and Spirit on high. Amen.

'He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead.' - Acts 10:42

A Collect to be Filled with the Holy Spirit

Almighty God, whose power can do more than we understand, fill us with your Spirit that we might be enabled to do good in the world, spreading your name and fulfilling your mission of healing and reconciliation in every corner, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

'That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.' - Acts 10:37-38

A Collect for Peace

Spirit of God, who moves throughout the whole earth, bring peace to the hearts of all people, that we might rest from the troubles of our souls and set aside our fears and disputes and rage and find the space to enjoy this world you have made for us and celebrate your goodness to us all, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in heaven, world without end. Amen.

'You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all.' - Acts 10:36

A Collect to Embrace All

Gracious God, under whom are all nations and peoples, you show now favoritism but accept all who come to you with joy and love. Keep us from partiality and bias, and give us open hearts that are willing to receive all who proclaim your name, embracing them as brother and sister in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in perfect unity forever. Amen.

'Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him."' - Acts 10:34-35

A Collect to Please the Father

Spirit of the living God, great counselor and guide, lead us to walk in ways that are right and true, in keeping with your character and nature, and grant us the will to follow where you would wish us to go, that we might hear the voice of our Father telling us that he is pleased, through Jesus Christ our Savior, by whom we have received your presence and entrance into the kingdom of the Father. Amen.

'And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."' - Matthew 3:16-17

A Collect for Submission

Son of Man, who obeyed the Father in all things so that you might fulfill all righteousness, teach us to submit ourselves to the Father and to others, that we might learn humility and love like yours and be made clean for this life and the next, through you who now reigns in glory forever with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.' - Matthew 3:13-15

A Collect of Thanks for God's Adoption of the Gentiles

Gracious Father, who loves all those he has created, we thank you for grafting us into your family and adopting us as your daughters and sons. Teach us to love as you have loved us, that the whole earth would be filled with charity, peace, and harmony, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in perfect joy forever. Amen.

'That is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.' - Eph. 3:6