Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 85

A Collect to Release Attachments to Worldly Kingdoms

High King of Heaven, who rules in wisdom for the good of your people, help us to free ourselves from attachments to things that are not of your kingdom, that we would not give in to temptations that draw us away from you and your ways and would live and love well as citizens under your benevolent rule, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

'Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."' - Luke 9:62

A Collect to Obey the Lord's Call

Lord Jesus Christ, who knows the thoughts of our hearts, forgive us when we run from your call, and give us courage to follow, that we could set aside the desires of this world and enter into the kingdom of God, through you who proclaimed the good news of the kingdom and sat down at the right hand of the Father in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'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 9:59-60

A Collect to See Our Limits

Gentle shepherd, who knows the truth of our hearts even when we do not, help us to recognize when we are too eager or do not know our own limitations, that we would not promise you things we cannot keep and so betray you in our weakness and bury ourselves in shame and guilt, through you who forgives and loves us to the end in the company of 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."' - Luke 9:57-58

A Collect to be Slow to Anger

Almighty God, who commands the forces of nature at your whim, let us not be quick to condemn or to enact wrath and vengeance on others, that we would learn how to be gentle and forgiving as you are, tarrying long with those who do not or will not understand with the hope that light may dawn on them as well, through Jesus Christ our shepherd, who leads us through dark valleys and green pastures to you in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But he turned and rebuked them.' - Luke 9:54-55

A Collect to Not Turn Reject Jesus and His Call to Us

Lord of Heaven and Earth, whose ways are not our ways, keep us from turning you away, and let not our hearts be pointed away from your goal, that in humility we would recognize and confess our lack of understanding and where our hearts are devoted to ways that are not yours, through you who is the gate into the safety that is the Father in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.' - Luke 9:52-53

A Collect to Press On Even in the Face of Suffering

Lord Jesus, who went steadfastly toward the cross, give us courage to move forward, even when it must result in suffering, that our fear would not prevent us from doing good and you would be glorified by the choices we make for the love of you and our fellow creatures, through you who humbled yourself and was glorified by the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.' - Luke 9:51

A Collect of Thanks for God's Respect of Our Choices

Gracious Lord, who is gentle with our weaknesses and fears, we thank you for respecting our choices and allowing us to choose for ourselves our path, yet help us to not choose in such a way that would push you away for long, that we would not choose to cut ourselves off from the origin of all love, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives forever with you and the Holy Spirit in perfect harmony and joy together. Amen.

'Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned.' - Luke 8:37

A Collect for Courage When We Fear God

Almighty God, who deals gently with your needy children, let not our fear of you cause us to send you away, but grant us courage to stand when we fear your power and authority, that even when our hearts long to escape and hide, we would be able to receive the good you offer and be freed from our sin, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit in glory, world without end. Amen.

'Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear.' - Luke 8:37

A Collect to See and Share God's Goodness

Jehovah Jirah, who acts on behalf of your people to bring about good, help us to see the good works that you are doing around us, and give us the desire to share it with others in praise and wonder, that others would share our awe and joy and your renown would continue to spread throughout the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns from heaven with you and the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

'Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed.' - Luke 8:36

A Collect for Trust in God's Transforming Work

Lord Jesus Christ, who works miracles and brings about healing for the sick and in need, help us to trust in the goodness of what you are doing, that our fear of things being different and uncertain would not prevent us from accepting the change that you offer and we might discover the joys of new life with you, through you who is crowned king of all creation with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.' - Luke 8:35