14 September 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Sunday 14 September 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 122

This psalm tells of the joy and gladness we experience as we enter the house of the Lord with a prayer for safety and peace in Jerusalem. The temple brought the tribes of Israel together. For the sake of the house itself we will support it. And for our relatives and friends we pray for peace within each of them.

Matthew 19: 1 – 12

Pharisees come to Jesus when he is out in Judea beyond the Jordan River and ask him about marriage and divorce laws. Men and women were made to be together and become one, so not parted. Moses needed to make divorce rules because the people were hard-hearted. Jesus says only divorce on the grounds of lack of chastity is acceptable. The disciples discuss this with him saying how hard this will be for people to accept. Jesus responds by giving the example of eunuchs – some are born that way, some are made that way and some make themselves that way for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let those who can accept the teaching do so.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Roadside wild flower
Rutherglen Vic 2014 L Osburn

Holy Lord mighty and immortal you have given us places to worship you, family, friends, life partners and the right to make personal choices. Bless your churches so that they continue to be places where people come together to give thanks to you. Keep us gentle of heart, hearing you in times of troubled relationships. Bring your peace to us for the sake of our families and our friends so that our lives and our choices support the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday 14 September 2014

Evening Prayer

Exodus 15: 19 – 26

When the Israelites safely crossed the sea and the Egyptian army was destroyed Miriam Aaron’s sister, and the women sang and danced. Moses led the people on and there was no water. They came to a place where the water was bitter and the people complained and criticised Moses. Moses called to the Lord and was directed to throw a particular piece of wood into the water. The water became sweet. Moses made a law: if you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord, do what is right, pay attention to his directions and keep his laws the diseases the Egyptians had will not occur for God’s people. God heals.

Psalm 103: 8 – 13

God is merciful and full of grace. God’s anger about our sins is tempered by steadfast love. God does not deal with us according to our sins – God is forgiving. For those who love and honour God, steadfast love for us is without end. God removes our sins from us and like a loving parent has compassion for us.

Romans 14: 13 – 15: 6

We are not to pass judgement on each other and we are not to cause others to stumble. For example, with eating rites, we are neither to offend by eating something our brother or sister deems unclean nor to make them eat it. If, for example someone’s conscience says they should not eat something, then eating it is sin. We are to respect people’s level of faith and that some will need to hold on to practices they believe keep them right with God. We are to pursue peace for mutual encouragement.

Christ came and not only put up with us but suffered all insults. What was written in scripture is there to instruct Jews and people of all nations, to encourage us and make us steadfast. Paul prays that God will encourage us to live in harmony with each other so that with one voice we may glorify God.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Rural Spring
Rutherglen Vic 2014 L Osburn

Merciful and gracious God, you are patient and eternally forgiving, generous and compassionate. Help us to show your love, generosity, gentleness and compassion to everyone in our families and communities so that we may encourage the whole world to live in harmony and with one voice glorify you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.