Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 69

A Collect to Turn to God Rightly

Gracious God, who knows our deep thoughts and intentions, when we turn to you, may it be with sincere hearts, that we would truly seek to allow you to change us and to do good in our hearts and in the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in glory forever. Amen.

'But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance."' - Matthew 3:7-8

A Collect Asking for Cleansing and Purity

Holy Father, whose nature is pure and good and true, give us hearts that desire that same purity and holiness, that we would confess our sins to you and to one another, bringing out those things that contaminate our hearts and allowing what is left to be made clean, through Jesus Christ our Lord who came to us and will come again in your timing with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.' - Matthew 3:5-6

A Collect to Prepare for God's Return

Lord Jesus Christ, who will return to us to set all things right, give us wisdom to know how to prepare for your coming and the will to do what is required, that even if we do not know the time of your appearing, the world would be ready to receive you, through you who reigns king over all creation with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"' - Matthew 3:3

A Collect to Repent and Turn to the Kingdom of Heaven

King of heaven and earth, whose reign is love and peace, call us to turn from the laws and customs of our broken and hurtful kingdoms and enter into your dominion, that we might experience life as you intended and live well in the world you created for us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." - Matthew 3:2

A Collect to Resist Senseless Sin

Great teacher, who was tempted as we are yet did not give in to sin, keep us from being overwhelmed by our base impulses and satisfying our pleasures senselessly, but give us wisdom and temperance to enjoy the life you have given us without destroying ourselves in it, through you who reign from heaven with the Father and Holy Spirit in honor and glory forever. Amen.

'Let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.' - Romans 13:13

A Collect to Find Protection in the Light

Heavenly Father, whose wisdom far exceeds our own, help us to wrap visibility and vulnerability around us as armor, that we would understanding coming into the light as protection and safety and would find ourselves safe in the truth and shielded as citizens of your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in glory forever. Amen.

'The night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.' - Romans 13:12

A Collect to Turn Away from Deeds of Darkness

Lord God of truth, whose nature is light and revelation, draw our hearts away from those works that are done in darkness and away from sight that we would have no need to hide and would desire instead to do those things that are born of your loving and good character, through Jesus Christ our example and teacher, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

'The night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.' - Romans 13:12

A Collect to Become Awake

Holy Spirit, counselor, guide, and you who are closest to our very souls, wake us from our sleep, and enliven those parts of our hearts that we have closed off and made dull that we might present our whole selves to you and would be fully present to your calling, able to respond to your voice of love, through Jesus Christ our great teacher who is alive and reigns in glory alongside you and our Heavenly Father. Amen.

'Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers.' - Romans 13:11

A Collect to be Ready when Jesus Calls

Son of Man, who told us of your returning, help us make ourselves ready and prepared for when you call on us, that we could act as your hands and feet here in the world and would be ready to act in that final day when you appear in glory, through you who reigns on high with the Father and Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

'Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.' - Matthew 24:44

A Collect to Remain True until the Lord's Return

Lord Jesus, who has gone to prepare a place for us, give us patience and strength to live well until your return, that we would maintain your ways and values, living according to the laws of your kingdom and holding on to your love in every circumstance, through you who was tempted and yet did not succumb and now reigns in glory with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.' - Matthew 24:42