Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 78

A Collect for Detachment from Earthly Things

Lord of creation, at whose word all things came into being, keep us from overweening attachment to the things of this world, that we would be free to respond to your calls and invitations and able to receive new gifts from you that will continually nourish our souls, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is sustained by your words and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.' - Luke 14:33

A Collect to Find Better Ways

Great King of kings, commander of the hosts of heaven, open our eyes to see better ways of achieving our ends, that we might not destroy ourselves striving after that which we cannot attain, but would still receive that which we need, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

'Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace.' - Luke 14:31-32

A Collect to Recognize our Limits

King of kings, commander of the hosts of heaven, give us wisdom to see our limitations, that we would not demand of ourselves more than we are able to bear and so be destroyed in a foolish attempt to grasp more than we are able, through Jesus Christ our Lord who reigns at your right hand in the Holy Spirit in glory forever. Amen.

'Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand?' - Luke 14:31

A Collect to Recognize the Cost of Discipleship

Father in heaven, in whom is all wisdom, help us to recognize that there is a cost in following you and to be willing to accept that cost, that we might willingly endure hardships in order to receive the blessing of being with you, through Jesus Christ our Lord who suffered greatly for our sake and sat down at your right hand in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'" - Luke 14:28-30

A Collect to Resist the Lure of Ease

Steadfast Lord, who set your face like flint toward Jerusalem, we long for our lives to be easy and comfortable. Give us the will to endure the suffering that will inevitably come and to put in the effort to accomplish what you call us to, that we would attain the goal of seeing you face to face and entering into the joy of our master, through you who reigns with the Father and Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

'Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.' - Luke 14:27

A Collect for Attachment to God First and Foremost

Lord of heaven and earth, king of all that ever was, is, and shall be, draw our hearts to you before all else, that nothing would entice us away from you and from your way of being in this world and the next, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in glory forever. Amen.

"Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:26

A Collect for Trust in God's Provision

God of plenty, who satisfies the desires of all living creatures, give us trust in your care and provision, and keep us from unbounded want, that we would be secure in your presence and help, able to find contentment whatever you determine to give, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in boundless joy forever. Amen.

'Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"' - Heb. 13:5-6

A Collect for Hospitality

Heavenly Father, who welcomed us into this world you have created, give us generous hearts that welcome others and are eager to show them hospitality, that we might love as you love and perhaps unknowingly welcome your messengers and blessings into our homes, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

'Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.' - Heb. 13:2

A Collect to Give to Those Who Cannot Repay

God of kindness and love, who reaches down to care for your children, teach us to give to those who cannot repay, that we might be like you, true children of a generous Father, and would be blessed in this world and the next, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who gave everything to we who could never repay and was exalted to your right hand in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

A Collect to Do Good for Good's Sake

Lord Jesus, who is full to abundance with love for your people, help us to not merely do good with the expectation of being repaid, but teach us to truly do good to others out of an abundance of love and a desire that people would be blessed as you have blessed us, through you who is alive and reigns forever in glory with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid."' - Luke 14:12