Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 77

A Collect to be Shrewd with the Things of This World

God of all knowledge, who called us to be wise as serpents, teach us to be shrewd in our dealings and sage in how we interact with this world, that we would wisely use the things of this age in order to gain access to greater and more lasting things in the age to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

'And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.' - Luke 16:8

A Collect for Generosity

God of wisdom, who knows the ways of our hearts better than we do, teach us to love others well with generosity and hospitality, that our hearts would not be tied to our money but would find joy in using that money to bless others, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who spent himself for our sake and returned to your loving presence and that of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.' - Luke 16:9

A Collect for Mercy from Upheaval and Destruction

Almighty God, righteous judge of the nations, spare us from the destruction that we rightly deserve for our foolishness and evil. Mercifully teach us how to do good that the land would be spared from your wrath and the upheaval of all things, through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whose mercy we may enter your presence through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse-- a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgment against them. "For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good."' - Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22

A Collect to Repent and Enter into Joy

Savior of our souls, who longs to be reconciled with your children, instill in us a desire and willingness to truly repent, that we might enter into the joy that awaits us in fellowship with you and the angels who surround you, through you who reigns in glory with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, in perfect love forever. Amen.

"Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." - Luke 15:10

A Collect to See Our Own Value

Lord God, who is high above all created things, we thank you for finding us valuable and treasuring us. Grant us vision to see our value and the value of all those whom you have created in your joy and the overflow of your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

"Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?" - Luke 15:8

A Collect for Joy in Seeing the Lost Come Home

Shepherd of our souls, who seeks out those who are lost and straying, you rejoice greatly when you find and bring home those who are lost. May we likewise take great joy in seeing those who are lost be taken back into the fold, through Jesus Christ who came to us in order to show us your great love and mercy and returned to share in the your joy in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.'" - Luke 15:6

A Collect for Rescue When Straying

Gentle Shepherd, who bears the rod and staff for our good, come seek us when we are lost and have gone away from your fold, that we might be rescued from our own foolishness and returned to your arms, held safely and loved, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the gate to you and your kingdom in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?" - Luke 15:4

A Collect for Trust in Discomfort

Lord Jesus, our rabbi and shepherd, have patience with us when we grumble at being taken into uncomfortable circumstances. Increase our trust in you that what you are doing is for good and that our discomfort is not a sign of trouble but one of growth and potential, through you who with the Father and Holy Spirit is higher than our thoughts and wiser than all our understanding. Amen.

'And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."' - Luke 15:2

A Collect to Show Hospitality to All

Loving God, who welcomes all who desire to come close, give us hospitable hearts like yours, that we would not cut ourselves off from those who are different or who struggle or are unacceptable, but would show love to all who will receive just as you show love to us who are yet sinners in need of you, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who loved us to the end and sat down at your right hand in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."' - Luke 15:1-2

A Collect to Accept Whatever God Brings

Almighty God, whose power and authority is beyond all our understanding, grant us grace to accept whatever you choose for us, trusting that your wisdom is higher than ours and that what you will would bring about great good for us and the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

'The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done?' - Jeremiah 18:4-6