23 September 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 23 September 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 54 and 55: 1 – 12

The first psalm is a plea to be saved from enemies, a statement of faith and a promise to give a free will offering to God once the psalmist is triumphant.

The second psalm portion is another plea for aid against enemies. The psalmist fears for his life and wants to run away. There is trouble around the city walls and the psalmist asks that the enemies plans be confused.

Nahum 2: 10 – 3: 7

Nahum continues detailing the sacking of Nineveh and the cutting off of all power to the Assyrian Empire. The city followed other gods, sorceresses and debauchery. It will be shamed and humiliated in its destruction. There is no one to comfort Nineveh.

Matthew 6: 25 – 7: 5

Jesus talks about priorities, about putting God at the centre of our lives and seeking God first. Those who seek other gods are really seeking their material well-being and prosperity. God values us. And we are to trust God and show that we do by: not worrying about tomorrow and heaping those concerns on to of the concerns of today and, by not judging others – for we know that how we judge is how we will be judged by God.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Water pumped by the windmill.
Armadale WA 2014 : Osburn

Holy Lord maker of all things seen and unseen, you love us and provide for us yet we let in fears and concerns focusing first on them and not one you. Help us today to realign ourselves to you: to seek you first. Help us too with all the tasks we have today, to do them in faith, to work with others on our tasks without judgement so that our lives show to others that point of difference, which is our trust in you and your great love for us through Jesus Christ who died for us. Amen.

Tuesday 23 September 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 55: 13 – 15 (16 – 17) 18 – 28

The psalmist’s enemy is a close friend. It is harder to bear treachery from someone close. The friend has tricked another and done great harm. God will hear and respond. Lay our burdens on God. God’s is the punishment not ours. Trust God.

2 Maccabees 7: 20 – 41

The mother has seen her seven sons abominably tortured and killed in one day. The King proposes to her last remaining son to deny his faith for the reward of a fine position, wealth and power. The King appeals to the mother to counsel her son. She does so, quietly in her dialect telling her son to consider creation and the greatness of God. The son defies the King saying the people are suffering for their sins at the King’s hand but God will be reconciled with the people. The King, through his arrogance will never be reconciled to God. The King becomes enraged, has the son tortured and killed and the mother too.

Ephesians 4: 29 – 5: 5

Speak in ways that build each other up, not tear down. Put away all resentment and anger about the past. There is to be no wrangling, slander or malice instead we are to be tender hearted. Since God has forgiven us we are to live in love. Obscene, silly and vulgar talk is out of place and greed is unacceptable.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Blackwood River WA
2014 L Osburn

Holy God you want us to be in community with each other and relationship with you. You know the political realities of our world, our organisations and our families. As we reflect on our day help us see the times where we chose to build others up, to speak and live in love and show ourselves to be tender hearted and generous so that we by that knowledge can be strengthened to do the same and more tomorrow building your church through Jesus Christ our Lord and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.