1 October 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 1 October 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 74

The community laments.  Enemies have come and destroyed the city, the temple and everything that gives identity to the people. An appeal is made to God using stories of creation and provision for the people. The enemy ridicules and the soul of the people is at risk of being destroyed. The psalmist asks to Lord to rise up for the people’s sake.

Ezra 1

King Cyrus of Persia, in the hope that God’s word through Jeremiah would be accomplished decrees that anyone who wishes to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple may do so. He provides vessels from the treasury and gives them to Shezbazzar, a prince of Judah. The exiles who return bring all this with them.

Matthew 9: 27 – 38

Jesus heals two blind men and frees a man from a demon. People begin to flock to him for healing. He asks the disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into this harvest.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Sandcastle City
Cape Le Grand National Park WA 2014 L Osburn

God of compassion and practical action you hear and respond to those of us whose cities are destroyed, whose places of worship are destroyed and whose heath is no more. You are the God of creation and with you nothing is impossible. Be with us today. Help us be part of your plans for rebuilding, restoring and healing this world and its people through Jesus Christ, your Son who died for us. Amen.

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 75 and 76

The first psalm begins with praise and moves to God as judge, putting down the boastful wicked and lifting up the righteous.

In second psalm God is portrayed as a mighty warrior who protects the poor and oppressed against foes, even armies of nations. Kneeling in thanks and praise to God is the only thing to do when God protects against human wrath.

1 Maccabees 4: 1 – 36

At Emmaus Judas Maccabeus learns that part of the opposing army is approaching their camp by night. They leave and attack the remnant force on the plain, routing them. The first group returns but Judas Maccabeus’s warriors are now fully armed and defeat the rest.

In the next year Lysias musters more troops who Judas and his warriors defeat. Judas’s people begin to restore the sanctuary in Jerusalem and Lysias goes to Antioch to acquire mercenaries.

Colossians 1: 21 – 29

Paul says that those of us who were estranged from God and doing evil are now reconciled, restored and blameless before God through the crucifixion. This will continue provided we fully and steadfastly continue in our faith. That is what Paul’s mission and suffering were for: to ensure we, from all nations are strong and mature in the faith. In particular he wants us to know the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in us.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Windmill at sunset
Armadale WA 2014 L Osburn

Holy Lord you are the one who was crucified for us and through whose sacrifice won the greatest battle. Let us reflect on the richness of your glory and your presence in each of us. Be with us now as we review our day and note the times your presence was with us so that we are renewed and restored through Jesus Christ our Lord and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.