Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 95

A Lenten Collect to Cease Resisting the Lord's Care

Maternal Messiah, who brings comfort to those in need, forgive us when we resist you when your desire is to care for us and shield us from harm. Give us hearts that are willing to be loved, that we would cease resisting your call and allow ourselves to be brought into the warmth of your arms, through you who reigns with benevolence from heaven with the Father and Holy Spirit. 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

A Lenten Collect to Not Spurn the Lord's Invitations

Patient Father, who tarries with your sinful children, how often we spurn and reject the invitations you send to us, enamored with our childish toys and base desires. Give us hearts that are willing to hear the difficult things you tell us, that we could work through those difficulties and find life on the other side, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who went through pain for our sake and ascended to you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!' - Luke 13:34

A Lenten Collect to Set One's Face Like Flint

Lord Jesus, prophet, priest, and king, you set your face like flint toward your calling, even knowing the pain it would require. Give us also the perseverance to move forward toward the Father's call, regardless of the cost, that we would also be able to find the joy that you found in being one with the Father, through you who now reigns above with the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' - Luke 13:33

A Lenten Collect to Not Fear When Persecution Comes

Lord Jesus Christ, who lived ever in obedience to the Father, let us not fear those who threaten us and intend to harm us for our work in your name, but like you, let us continue to follow the will of the Lord, trusting that our lives are in his hands and that we will finish our work when he chooses, through you who died and is alive and will come again from the Father in the power of the Spirit. Amen.

'At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.'"' - Luke 13:31-32

A Lenten Collect to Expect Resistance to Good

Lord God, who sees into the hearts of all people, let us not be surprised when people oppose us for doing good, for they opposed you. Keep us ready to do what is right and loving and holy and to live as members of your kingdom now and always, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who suffered for righteousness and sat down at your right hand in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you."' - Luke 13:31

A Lenten Collect to Remember God's Presence in the Wilderness

Lord God Almighty, who watches over all the happens in creation with great attention and care, let us not forget that we must endure times in the wilderness, but that you have not abandoned us to the wilds. Remind us that even these struggles are part of your design and plan for our good, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who persevered and was crowned with glory, sitting at your right hand in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness.' - Luke 4:1

A Collect to Remain Aware of the Accuser's Challenges

Lord Jesus Christ, who knows what it is to be tempted, let us not expect that temptations will cease, even as we resist them, for the accuser yet watches for the moment to catch us. Help us to remain awake for his snares that we might not be caught in a moment of weakness, though you who will triumph at the last in the power of the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.' - Luke 4:13

A Lenten Collect to Eschew Empty Fame and Praise

Lord Jesus Christ, who sought always to escape the masses even as you served them, keep us from the allure of fame and the praise of the crowd, that we would not spend ourselves for applause that quickly fades but would devote ourselves to a love that is rooted and lasting in your and your children, through you who is one forever with the Father and Holy Spirit in perfect relationship. Amen.

'Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"' - Luke 4:9-12

A Lenten Collect to Eschew Seeking Glory and Authority

Lord Jesus Christ, who knows what it is to be tempted as you were also tempted in the wilderness, shield us from the lure of worldly power and authority and the glory of being in charge of many things. Give us servants' hearts, that we would not seek the highest place but would serve as you served in obedience to the Father, through you who reigns with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"' - Luke 4:6-8

A Lenten Collect to Not Satisfy Merely Material Desires

Lord Jesus Christ, who was tempted to satisfy his hunger in the wilderness, open our hearts to see our deepest needs, that we might not focus merely on the material things of this world, but would devote ourselves to greater and more lasting things, through you who lives and reigns with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

'The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"' - Luke 4:3-4