Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 93

A Lenten Collect to Request a Way Forward

Mighty Lord, who separated the waters that Israel might walk through the Red Sea, make clear a path for us in this age, and remove the obstacles that keep us from doing the good you have prepared for us, that we would be able to march forward in gratitude and joy to do your will in the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is crowned king of kings and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in majesty forever. Amen.

'Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters..." - Isa. 43:16

A Lenten Collect to Not be Quick to Judge

Heavenly Father, who knows the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, let us not be quick to condemn others when they do what we disapprove of, for we do not know their hearts, and only you can judge in true righteousness, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

'Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."' - John 12:7-8

A Lenten Collect to Sacrifice for God's Honor

Anointed One, who was honored by many who love you, may we be willing to sacrifice much and spend much as we praise and honor you, that our love would be so great as to overflow in generosity and trust, and you would be lifted up in the eyes of all who see it, through you who ascended to the Father and Holy Spirit to reign together in majesty forever. Amen.

'Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.' - John 12:3

A Lenten Collect to Celebrate Jesus' Love

Lord Jesus, you who raise the dead bring life and healing to broken people, do not let us lose the opportunities we have to celebrate you and feast with you, that you would be honored continually for all you have done and we might show our gratitude and fan regularly the spark of love in our hearts for you, through you who descended to us and returned to the Father to send the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.' - John 12:1-2

A Lenten Collect for Compassion for All

Three in One, who lives in perpetual love and delight in one another, let not our desires for ourselves keep us from rejoicing in the good fortune of others, that we would be filled with compassion as you are and seeing opportunities to give to those in need, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and Holy Spirit in perpetual light, world without end. Amen.

"Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'" - Luke 15:31-32

A Lenten Collect to Escape Jealousy

Compassionate Father, who celebrates the good deeds of your children, forgive us our anger when we grow frustrated when others receive what we believe we deserve. Teach us to rejoice with others' good fortune and trust in your love and timing, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who alone lived as you command and sent the Holy Spirit to teach us his ways. Amen.

"But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends.'" - Luke 15:29

A Lenten Collect to Believe in God's Love

Loving Father, who watches for our repentance with compassion and anticipation, may our hearts see you for the loving Father that you are, that we would not fear to return to you and to admit our wrongs but would know that you are generous and eager to embrace us as your beloved children, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who loved us to the end and sat down at your right hand in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.' - Luke 15:20'

A Lenten Collect to Confess When We Have Wronged

Gentle Lord, who knows the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, give us the courage to confess our sins and to admit when we have wronged others, that those sins would not smolder in our souls and burn us, but we would find peace with you and with one another, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who took on our sin and ascended to you in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you."' - Luke 15:18

A Lenten Collect to Come To Our Senses

Patient Father, who tarries with us longer than we deserve out of your great love, help us to come to ourselves when we have turned away from you, that we would realize the depths of our sin and the futility of our ways and would recognize our great need of you, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit was and is and is to come. Amen.

'But when he came to himself...' - Luke 15:17

A Lenten Collect to Love those in Need

Lord Jesus Christ, full of compassion and love, you welcomed those in need and offered yourself to those who asked of you, regardless of their station. Give us hearts that embrace those who are needy and broken, that we would be like our master, giving love to all who desire it, through you who lives with the Father and Holy Spirit in an exchange of infinite love, forever and ever. Amen.

'And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." - Luke 15:2