Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 94
March 27, 2022
A Lenten Collect to Keep from Judging Unjustly
Oh Lord, merciful and forgiving, keep us from judging others and maligning them when we do not know their hearts. Let us not set ourselves up as superior when we ever rely on you for our daily bread and take breath by your grace alone, through Jesus Christ our Lord and master, who at your right hand will judge all people with justice in the Holy Spirit. Amen.
'Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."' - Luke 15:1-2
March 26, 2022
A Lenten Collect to Listen to God's Voice
Lord God, who speaks through Word, Spirit, and circumstance, we are so easily distracted and caught up in our own desire to voice our thoughts. Give us hearts that are desire to listen and can hear and understand your voice, that as we hear you and are transformed by your Word, we may find real life and the eternal love that comes from your heart, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
'Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.' - Isa. 55:3
March 25, 2022
A Lenten Collect to Not Waste Ourselves on Emptiness
Jehovah Jirah, who provides for every living thing, open our eyes to recognize those things that we have devoted ourselves to yet do not nourish our bodies or souls, lest we continue to waste ourselves on empty things and miss the good and delightful food that you offer us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit holds the keys to life and death. Amen.
'Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.' - Isa. 55:2
March 24, 2022
A Lenten Collect to Not Try the Lord's Patience
Lord of creation, who oversees all that you have made, your patience is great, and your compassion tarries long, but let us not forget that there are limits to even your longsuffering, that we would seek always to move toward you and into your kingdom and receive the good you have prepared for us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
"He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'" - Luke 13:8-9
March 23, 2022
A Lenten Collect for Nourishment to Produce Fruit
Jesus Christ, our advocate and the gardener of our souls, give us the nourishment and environment we need that we would naturally produce good fruit that would please the Lord and fulfill our nature and purpose on his kingdom, through you who sits enthroned in the highest place with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.
'"So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it.'"' - Luke 13:7-8
March 22, 2022
A Lenten Collect to Live Up to God's Design for Us
Lord of creation, who plants and tends all that he has made, help us to live up to our purpose and to accomplish that which we have been created for, that we might not be useless to you and to the world around us, but might produce good fruit which is pleasing to your eyes, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns at your right hand in the Holy Spirit. Amen.
'Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?'"' - Luke 13:6-7
March 21, 2022
A Lenten Collect to Trust in God's Mercy
Heavenly Father, judge of all people, give us repentant hearts that we would not trust in our supposed goodness but lean on your mercy and the compassion you offer to we who recognize our sin the evil we bear within us and come to you for forgiveness, through Jesus Christ, the mediator between us and you through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
'He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did."' - Luke 13:2-3
March 20, 2022
A Lenten Collect to Escape Pride
Lord of all people, who knows the deep thoughts of our hearts, keep us from pride and the belief that we are superior to others, that we would not separate ourselves from others, but would remember that we are likewise and always in need of your salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who made a way for our redemption and sat down at your right hand in the Spirit. Amen.
'At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?"' - Luke 13:1-2
March 19, 2022
A Lenten Collect to be Drawn by Jesus' Great Love
Merciful Jesus, who gave himself to such great suffering on our behalf, we are humbled by your immense love for your people, we who have forgotten and spurned you. May our hearts be drawn by your consistent and patient love, that we would gladly receive from you whatever you have for us and desire earnestly to cling to you for our very lives, through you who lives with the Father and Holy Spirit in perfect love, world without end. Amen.
'Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!' - Luke 13:34
March 18, 2022
A Lenten Collect to Hope in Christ's Returning
Lord Jesus Christ, who ascended in the heavens, we sometimes feel as if you have abandoned us here, and we are left alone. Kindle in us the faith and hope that you will return, that we might be able to persevere until your coming, through you who lives and reigns with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
"'See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'" - Luke 13:35
