Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 90

A Collect for Life and Union with God

Almighty God, in whose hands are death and life, grant to us life eternal, the life that is being one with you as you are one with the Son and Holy Spirit, that we might be with you in eternity, safe from all that would tear us away from you, our source of all that is good, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

'I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.' - John 10:28

A Collect to Recognize God's Voice

Good Shepherd, who calls out to us for our provision and protection, help us to hear and recognize your voice, that we would follow you to life and would remain under your loving care throughout our time on this earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and ascended to you in the Holy Spirit in glory. Amen.

'My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.' - John 10:27

A Collect to Abide in Christ's Community

Great Shepherd, who tends the flock with care, keep us part of your community and a member of your fold, that we would be encouraged by one another and kept close to you, able to hear and understand your invitations and commands and kept safe and well by your hands, through you who reigns as king of all kings at the right hand of the Father in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'...but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.' - John 10:26

A Collect to Be Encouraged by God's Works Around Us

Anointed One, upon whom rested the Holy Spirit and the pleasure of the Father, help us to see the works that you are doing, that we might recognize your actions in the world and believe that you are still present, working toward what is good, and both take comfort and seek to join your labor of redemption, through you who speaks life into the world through the power of the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me."'

A Collect to Soften Our Resistant Hearts

Patient God, who has spoken great truths into a deaf world, give us ears to hear what you are saying, for our hearts often resist what you say. Make us receptive to your voice so that, even if the way is difficult, we may yet turn and be transformed, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who walked a difficult way and sat down at your right hand in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe."' - John 10:24-25

A Collect to Accept When Suffering Comes

Almighty One, who directs the steps of kings and paupers alike, let us not expect that our walk in this broken world would be always straightforward or pleasant, and let us not be surprised when suffering comes, but when it does, draw our hearts to you that we would walk with you and fulfill your will along the journey, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." - Acts 9:16

A Collect for Courage to Obey the Lord

Lord God, whose ways are not our ways, you at times ask of us things that are strange and awkward, and our hearts balk at your commands. Strengthen our hearts to follow your in obedience, that even when your instructions seem bizarre, we would yet trust in your ways and see the miraculous works that you do, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in glory forever. Amen.

'The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. ... But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name." But the Lord said to him, "Go."' - Acts 9:11, 13-15

A Collect to See the Truth of Ourselves

Almighty God, who sees all things in the world and in our hearts, show us what is in our hearts and give us opportunities to see the truth of ourselves, that we would know what is in us, good and bad, and offer it to you to be transformed and used for your good and the good of the world you love, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

'He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."' - John 21:17

A Collect for Love that Grounds Service

Risen Lord, who yet bears your wounds though now in glory, fill our hearts with love for you, that that love would form a foundation off of which we might serve your children and care for those who are hungry and in need, through you who first loved us and created us to share in the life you have with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."' - John 21:15

A Collect for Nourishment and Strength

Blessed Lord Jesus, who multiplied the bread and fish to be enough for all, give to us the nourishment we need each day, both in the food we require and in your sustaining presence, that we would have strength enough to fulfill your will and accomplish the good you have prepared for us to do, through you who gave of yourself and sat down at the right hand of the Father in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.' - John 21:12-13