Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 74
October 19, 2022
A Collect for Increased Trust and Faith
Lord God, who sees all that happens in the world you have made, strengthen our faith and increase our trust in you, that when your Son returns to earth, he would find us living according to your values and the laws and economics of your kingdom where justice flows like water and love reigns above all, through Jesus Christ who demonstrated your ways to the end and now reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
"And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" - Luke 18:8
October 18, 2022
A Collect for Justice
God of justice, who weighs the thoughts and hearts of all people, do not tarry long in bringing justice, and grant us patience and determination to come before your throne day and night with our cries, that those who care nothing for your ways might be made wise and those who suffer would be lifted up and granted release, through Jesus Christ our Lord who intercedes for us to you through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
'And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?' - Luke 18:7
October 17, 2022
A Collect to Pray Continually
Spirit of the Lord, who speaks to us in our very hearts, keep us faithful to pray to you continually and faithfully, that we would not neglect our relationship with you and disconnect from our source of life, but would renew that relationship day by day, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who was faithful on earth and now is faithful still to intercede through you before the Father. Amen.
'Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.' - Luke 18:1
October 16, 2022
A Collect for Inspiring Stories
Eternal one, who has seen the end from the beginning and follows our journeys with great interest, give us stories that hook our interest and inspire us to continue abiding in your kingdom ways, enlivened by the hope and promise of your presence and joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in joy forever. Amen.
'Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.' - Luke 18:1
October 15, 2022
A Collect to Avoid Arguing Fruitless Details
God of truth, in whom is all knowledge and wisdom, we often desire to argue and debate about many things. Keep us from wrangling over details and battling for small things, that we would be free from our wars for having our own way and free to love others well as you have demonstrated to us through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom we have grace to enter your presence in the Holy Spirit. Amen.
'Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening.' - 2 Tim. 2:14
October 14, 2022
A Collect to Die in Order to Gain Life
Lord over life and death, who holds the keys to Sheol, show us where we must die, and give us courage to allow those parts of our hearts to be killed, that we would be resurrected with you more perfectly, living the abundant life that you have promised, through you who first died and was restored to life by your loving Father through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
'The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him.' - 2 Tim. 2:11
October 13, 2022
A Collect for Trust in God's Healing and Timing
Anointed One, through whom the Spirit moves in power, increase our trust in you, that we might be made ready and available to be healed from our weaknesses and infirmities, our hands open to receive whatever gifts you might bestow, through you who ascended to the Father and Holy Spirit and intercedes continually on our behalf. Amen.
'Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."' - Luke 17:19
October 12, 2022
A Collect to Not Rely on Being the Right Kind of Person
Lord and Father, who has grafted us into your family, keep us from believing we are blessed and special for being amidst the right people, but grant us humble hearts that can see the goodness and wisdom of those who are not of "us" and the continual desire to live well, connected to you through our hearts and deeds, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
'He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"' - Luke 17:16-18
October 11, 2022
A Collect to Praise God for His Goodness
High King of Heaven, who stoops down to attend to the people you love, do not let us forget to praise and thank you for the gifts and works you grant us, that we would remember that you are the source of all goodness and healing and joy and so remain bound to you in loving relationship, through Jesus Christ your son our savior, by whom we have access to you through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
'When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.' - Luke 17:14-15
October 10, 2022
A Collect for Healing
Healer of our wounds and troubles, whose nature is wholeness and desires that we receive from you, make us clean and whole according to the pattern and intention that you have borne since before creation began, that we would reflect your perfection and be grateful for your power expressed in us, through Jesus Christ your son our Lord who is alive with you and the Holy Spirit in glory. Amen.
'When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean.' - Luke 17:14
