Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 70

A Collect to Be Content Not Knowing

God of all knowledge and wisdom, who knows the deep secrets of the world for you crafted them, help us to be content with not knowing all things, that we would trust in your timing and wisdom and be at ease as we live in your care, unworried because we abide in the kingdom of a loving God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

"But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." - Matthew 24:36

A Collect to Desire to Enter into Light

God of light and life, whose kingdom rules with forgiveness and love, change our hearts to long to leave the darkness and to enter into your light, that we would no longer stumble and hurt ourselves in hiding and secrecy but would be willing to know and be known fully as your beloved creations, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in glory forever. Amen.

'He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.' - Colossians 1:13-14

A Collect for Patience to Endure and to Bless

Lord God, who has bestowed to those he loves an inheritance of light, grant us strength to be patient, that we might endure the struggles and trials of this life, trusting that you will make all things right, and able always to bless all those we encounter, through Jesus Christ our Lord, whose example of the kingdom of the Father is always before us and in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.' - Colossians 1:11-12

A Collect to Look to Jesus for Righteousness

Lord Jesus, heir of the throne of Judah and of all creation, call us to look to you for our righteousness, and may we seek out the justice that you desire rather, that we would not fall into the trap of manufacturing our own and thereby stumble but would trust in your ways and the real life that you bring, through you who reigns as a servant in the presence of the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."' - Jeremiah 23:6

A Collect for Justice

Lord Jesus Christ, branch of David and eternal king, bring about justice for those who have been abused and violated, the poor who have been robbed by the rich, the vulnerable who have been taken advantage of, the weak assailed by the strong, that righteousness would fill the earth and those who cry out to you would be satisfied and at peace, through you who became weak that we might become strong. Amen.

'The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.' - Jeremiah 23:5

A Collect for Good Leaders

High King of Heaven, under whom all rulers execute authority, raise up for us leaders who will serve the people well, that they would not abuse their power but would seek to care for those under their charge with compassion and wisdom as you care for all your children, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in perfect love, world without end. Amen.

'I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD.' - Jeremiah 23:4

A Collect for Return After Punishment

Great Shepherd, who wields both rod and staff for our good, let not the punishments for our wrongs be lengthy, but draw us back into your love and into the presence of your people where we might grow more mature and bear better and better fruit of love, hope, and faith, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

'Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply.' - Jeremiah 23:3

A Collect for Protection from Evil Leaders

Lord God of hosts, whose authority stretches throughout all creation, shield us from leaders who deceive and manipulate and devour the people for their own lusts and gluttony. Remove them from their positions that we might be led by trustworthy people and would enjoy peace in our lands, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who led as a servant and still intercedes for us to you through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD.' - Jeremiah 23:1

A Collect for Joy in Doing Good

Heavenly Father, whose joy at doing good never flags, encourage our hearts day by day that we would never grow weary of doing good. Grant us each day joy and satisfaction in living according to the laws and culture of your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our example and teacher, by whom we have the grace to stand in your presence with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.' - 2 Thes. 313

A Collect for Times of Conflict with Those We Love

Lord Jesus, who was betrayed and assailed by those you love and came to save, let us not be surprised when we are likewise hated by those we love, but help us to continue to love them as you did, even to the end, through you who died but is alive and lives in glory with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name.' - Luke 21:16-17