Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 84
July 11, 2022
A Collect to Eschew Self-Justification
Great teacher, who holds the wisdom of all creation, keep us from seeking to justify ourselves, but help us to look to you for our justification, that we would walk in humility, desiring not confirmation of our own goodness but your guidance in becoming more like you, through you who loves all your children with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.
'But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"' - Luke 10:29
July 10, 2022
A Collect to Love Well
Lord God, whose nature is everlasting love, help us to love you and others well, that we would be attached to you with our whole being, receiving the life that you provide and able to share that life with the world as you do so generously, through Jesus Christ our teacher and example, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit in great unity forever. Amen.
'He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."' - Luke 10:27-28
July 9, 2022
A Collect to Not Forget God's Gifts to Us
Almighty God, by whose power we live and move and have our being, keep us from arrogance and assuming that our successes and abilities are our own, that we would remain connected to you, rejoicing in your goodness to us and thanking you for your great gifts, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives forever in glory with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
"Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." - Luke 10:20
July 8, 2022
A Collect for Courage and Trust in God's Protection
Lord Jesus Christ, by whose authority we are ambassadors to the world, grant us faith to trust in your protection, that even as we fear the works of the enemy, we would yet have courage to step out, knowing you are our shield, through you who endured even death and emerged victorious and returned to the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.
'See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you.' - Luke 10:19
July 7, 2022
A Collect to Remember and Preach the Nearness of the Kingdom
King of glory, whose reign is one of power and love and authority, remind us that your kingdom is near to us, and inspire us also to remind others of the same, that many would be strengthened by the knowledge that you are near and available and we would experience your power and love among us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and rules with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
"Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'" - Luke 10: 8-9
July 6, 2022
A Collect to Not Despair When Others Reject the Gospel
Lord Jesus, who speaks what the Father directs you to say to the world, keep us from feeling hurt and dejected when the world rejects us on account of you, that we would not fall into despondency, but rejoice that we remain in the service and household of the one who loved us into being, through you who reigns in heaven with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.
"Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me." - Luke 10:16
July 5, 2022
A Collect to Free Ourselves from Earthly Cares
God of provision, who satisfies the desires of all living things, free us from the worries and cares of this world, that we would be free to give ourselves to your work and trust that you will provide for all of our needs, through Jesus Christ your son our savior, who intercedes before you on behalf of all your children through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
'Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road.' - Luke 10:4
July 4, 2022
A Collect to Remain Innocent in the World
Wise Father, shield to those who serve you, protect us from those who would harm us, and keep us from becoming like them, that we would not live by the world's rules but would trust in you, remaining clean for your sake and the sake of all those you love, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who ascended to you and the Holy Spirit in glory. Amen.
'Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.' - Luke 10:3
July 3, 2022
A Collect to Reap the Lord's Harvest
Lord of the harvest, by whose hand the tiniest seed grows great and fruitful, give us eyes to see the fields ready for harvest, and make us ready and willing to reap and pluck the fruit you have made ripe, that the world would receive the good things you have grown and we might enjoy the richness of virtue and love on the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
'He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."' - Luke 10:2
July 2, 2022
A Collect to Respect Our Limitations and Differences
Lord Jesus Christ, who knows the thoughts and needs of our hearts, help us to discern what is needful for our individual growth and circumstances, that we would respond to even spiritual calls with wisdom and care, respecting our limitations and needs and acting out of your specific invitation to us, through you who is alive and reigns in heaven with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.
'As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."' - Luke 9:57-60
