Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 76

A Collect for God to Answer When We Call

Shield to the weak, who is the advocate for those in need and who have nothing, answer us when we call to you, that we would not go through the struggles and trials of this life alone, that we might find safety and comfort under your protection and honor you as the only great and loving God, through Jesus Christ, your son, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in glory. Amen.

'When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them.' - Ps. 91:15

A Collect to Remember God in Trouble

Great and mighty God, shield to those who seek you, may our love for you grow ever stronger, that in times of trouble, we would remember you and seek your protection, discovering your care and shelter, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in glory. Amen.

'Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.' - Ps. 91:14

A Collect for Comfort in Need

Gentle God, who knows our weaknesses and needs for you walked in our flesh, grant us comfort when we fear or weep or need your presence, that we would find safety and calm in you, coming to love and trust in you ever more because of your great love, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lived as we do yet wholly trusted in you through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.' - Ps. 91:4

A Collect for Deliverance from Danger and Disease

Great deliverer, who brought the nation of Israel out through the waters of the Red Sea, save us from that which would destroy us, from enemies and from sickness and disease, that we would know that you are the one who saves and the one whose power is greater than all people and all nature and that you would be honored your children, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in glory forever. Amen.

'For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.' - Ps. 91:3

A Collect for Protection

Almighty Lord, who watches over your people from on high, overshadow us and grant us refuge from the trouble and wrongs of this world. Be our shield and salvation, and open our lips to shout your praise in thanks and joy at your protection and might, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

'You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust."' - Ps. 91:1-2

A Collect for Wisdom for our Leaders

King of all that is, who is above all and to whom all will submit their authority, grant wisdom and temperance to our leaders, that they would recognize their call to govern well and serve their people and that they would know how to choose well, blessing those under their care, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who set an example that all should follow in obedience to you through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.' - 1 Tim. 2:1-2

A Collect to Eschew Love of Money

Source of all true wealth, who provides all that your children need, keep us from excessive attachment to wealth and earthly power, that our hands and hearts would be open to receive true riches from your generosity and infinite store, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who was rich in love toward you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." - Luke 16:13

A Collect to Separate Ourselves from Conflicting Attachments

Lord of all things, ruler of Earth and Heaven, reveal to us the masters we serve that compete with you for our devotion, that we might free ourselves from entanglements with other kingdoms and be able to serve you well, being wholly devoted to you and your ways, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who opened the path of reconciliation to you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other.' - Luke 16:13

A Collect to Avoid Even Little Sins

Spirit of perfection and holiness, who convicts us of sin and calls to us to turn from our temptations, keep us from even those small sins that tempt us, that we might not fall prey to little things that would plant seeds and grow in our hearts and become too large and great to bear. Help us to be true to your ways, and grant us sight of your pleasure that we would continue in holiness always, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much." - Luke 16:10

A Collect for Faithfulness

Lord Jesus, who was continued to the very end, even knowing it would lead to suffering and death, cultivate in us faithful hearts that are worth of trust, that we might be counted on to be entrusted with both little and much, able to handle whatever you give for us to serve you and the beloved people of your kingdom, through you who reigns with the Father and Holy Spirit forever in glory. Amen.

"Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much." - Luke 16:10