16 September 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 16 September 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 38

The psalmist is dreadfully ill, so much so that friends stand a bit further away and people who seek harm spread rumours. The psalmist stays quiet, trusting God, praying and asking for God’s salvation.

Habakkuk 1: 12 – 2: 5

Habakkuk asks how can God allow such treachery when the wicked destroy the righteous and when the evil one gathers the righteous in a net like fish? Is the evil one to keep destroying without mercy?

Habakkuk keeps watch as listens for God. The Lord answers: there is an end of this; the time will come, wait. The proud have a wrong spirit; the righteous ones have faith. Wealth is treacherous and arrogance does not last, they are never satisfied and treat people like possessions.

Matthew 4: 23 – 5: 12

Jesus begins teaching in synagogues, telling the good news and healing. He goes to a mount and blesses to the highest good: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who seek righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted and those reviled and persecuted on behalf of Christ.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Frenchman's Peak Cape Le Grand
national Park WA 2014
L Osburn

Holy, generous and compassionate God, you bless us to your highest good when we feel deep spiritual emptiness, when we mourn, when we hold ourselves, when we seek to do the right thing, when we are merciful, when our hearts are open, when we work for peace and when we are persecuted – especially if we are harmed for being yours in Christ. You know where we are and who we are. Shine your light on us now. Fill us with your love so that we, feeling so blessed continue in faith and hope and love to do your will through Jesus Christ who died for us. Amen.

Tuesday 16 September 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 39

The psalmist is mortally ill and perceives his illness to be punishment from God. He decides to be calm and quiet in the presence of people who would bring him more grief. He asks to know how much time he has left. Humans are like passing guests, aliens. The psalmist asks for a little relief so that he can smile before he dies.

1 Maccabees 1: 20 – 40

Antiochus returns from Egypt, sacks the temple and takes all the gold and valuables and returns to Syria. He sends a force allegedly to collect taxes. They first appear to come in peace but instead take over the city and kill people. Jerusalem is no longer a sanctuary. The residents of Jerusalem flee.

Ephesians 2: 1 – 10

Paul says we have all in the past followed the lead of whims, breezes, desires and our internal anger. But God shows us mercy and makes us alive again with Christ. By grace we have been saved and blessed. It is by grace, not our own doing that we have been saved through faith.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Afternoon at Streaky Bay SA
2014 L Osburn

Holy and gracious God, from before time you loved us and want us to experience your sanctuary and your blessings which you give us by grace through Christ. We praise and thank you and glorify you. For as we come to the end of this day we acknowledge your great gifts of grace. Keep us in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ your son our Lord and make our lives a testament to your love and great mercy through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.