Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 91

A Collect of Thanks for God's Presence in the Mundane

Lord God Almighty, whose glory reaches beyond the heavens, you stoop low to participate with us in the mundane and the ordinary because of your great love and desire to be with us. We thank you for that love and ask that your Spirit would enlighten us to see you in those mundane elements of life that we would not miss your presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

'When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. ... Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast."' - John 21:9, 12

A Collect for Faith to Do the Absurd

Lord Jesus Christ, who bends nature itself to your will, give us the faith and courage to obey your words, even when they seem absurd or futile, that we might see your power displayed and reap the benefits of your wisdom and come to trust you in even greater measure, through you who escaped the grip of death and ascended to the Father and Holy Spirit in glory. Amen.

'Jesus said to them, "Children, you have no fish, have you?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish.' - John 21:5-6

A Collect for God to Reveal Himself in our Doubts

Lord of patience, who has suffered as we do and knows our weaknesses, have mercy on our unbelief for our hearts are weighed down with confusion and pain. Reveal yourself to us in our grief and doubt, that we would be able to hold fast to you, through you who is alive and reigns in heaven with the Father and Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

'Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe."' - John 20:27

A Collect for God's Patience When We Struggle

Gracious God, who empathizes with our weaknesses for you bore them in the person of Jesus, be patient with us when our faith is weak or our hearts are so weighed down that we cannot hear the truth. Have mercy and draw us back to you with tenderness that we would again attend to your word as faithful stewards and servants, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

'But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."' - John 20:24-25

A Collect to Persevere in God's Call for Us

Risen Lord, who redeems even the wounds of your crucifixion, we receive the work that you have given us to do in the world. Give us perseverance that we would remain faithful to that work, fulfilling your desire and call for all those you have created and bringing them into your kingdom of justice and love, through you who died and rose again to the glory of the Father in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."' - John 20:21

A Collect to Recognize the Lord's Presence

Almighty God, who is present everywhere and from whom nothing is hidden, open our eyes to recognize you around us, that we would see where you are and what you are doing in the world and we might take comfort from your presence and join in your work, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns forever at your right hand in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.' - Luke 24:30-31

A Collect to be Enlightened and Understand Scripture

Holy Spirit, the breath by which we breathe, enlighten our minds to understand the scriptures, that we would understand all that Moses, the prophets, the writings, gospels, and letters all have written, and we would believe and know what we must to do live as you desire, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who walks with us through you and is seated at the right hand of the Father in glory. Amen.

'Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.' - Luke 24:27

A Collect to Endure Struggle and Suffering

Lord Jesus Christ, who endured suffering and death before entering into glory, teach us to endure the struggles and pains of this world with hope, that we would be able to endure as you did, knowing that our path may not always be easy or smooth, yet leads to a home in your perfect kingdom, through you who is alive and reigns forever with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

"Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" - Luke 24:26

A Collect for Companionship on the Journey

Resurrected Lord, whose glory must sometimes be hidden for our sake, come near to us when we carry grief and burdens and give us comfort by your presence, that we would not have to bear our sadness alone but would be enlivened in spirit and able to continue the journey toward your celestial city, through you who is alive and reigns forever with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad.' - Luke 24:15-17

An Easter Collect

Lord of Life, who opened for us the gate to everlasting life, grant that we who celebrate the resurrection of your beloved Son Jesus Christ might be raised from the death of sin and live for you in holiness and love until we are called home to be in your presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who live and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

'But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen."' - Luke 24:1-5