25 September 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 25 September 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 62 and 63

For God my soul waits in silence: my salvation and my hope come from God. All people and things and powers are temporary. God is our rock and fortress and we shall not be shaken.

As a drought-ravaged land seeks water so our souls seek God. God’s love is better than life. God’s love is like a rich feast. Meditating on God causes our souls to sing.

The psalm ends with a plea for personal security.

Joel 1: 1 – 14

Joel is witness to a devastating locust plague that has destroyed all the crops and fruit production. There is no grain or drink offering for the temple. There is no food or oil produced. He calls for the whole community to lament; for the priests to sanctify a fast and for all to call out to God.

Matthew 7: 24 – 8: 4

Jesus says that when we hear his words and build out lives on them we have a firm foundation, like a house founded on the bedrock – immovable and unshaken. If we hear Jesus’s words and ignore them we have build out lives on flimsy and unsustainable foundations.

Jesus didn’t just teach: he had an unmistakable authority. 

A leper approaches him and says “Lord, if you choose you can make me clean. Jesus replies. “I do choose. Be made clean.” The man was restored and told to present himself and offer the appropriate sacrifices in line with Mosaic law.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Ruins of the Old Telegraph Station
Eucla WA 2014 L Osburn

We rejoice in you O God. You are our eternal stronghold, foundation and generous feast. Your love is so great you gave us your Son to teach us, to heal us and to save us. Lift up our hearts today. Let us sing your praise aloud and silently in all we do so that we deeply acknowledge that you chose. You chose us. Yours is the victory through Jesus Christ who died for us. Amen.

Thursday 25 September 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 64 and 67

The first psalm is about those who do evil and think no one can see or hear them. God knows. God sees. God will respond. Let the righteous rejoice and take refuge in God.

The second psalm is a blessing. “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us” (v 1). The blessing asks too that our lives be testament to God’s glory. May the whole world sing praise and rejoice.

1 Maccabees 2: 29 – 48

Many people seeking righteousness and justice escape to the wilderness. The King’s men come against them on the Sabbath, deliberately so. The people, observing the Sabbath faithfully, are slaughtered. Mattathias and his friends decide to fight even on the Sabbath. The Hasideans, a devout group that keep the law join Mattathias. Together they organise an army, strike down sinners, tear down altars to the Greek gods, circumcise boys, hunt down the arrogant and rescue the Law.

Ephesians 5: 21 – 33

Paul counsels love and respect for each other including husbands and wives: a deep equality and respect, nourishing and tenderly caring for each other. Just as Christ tenderly loved us and laid down his life for us so we should love each other.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Great Australian Bight
Our southern coastline
SA 2014 L Osburn

Holy Lord, you know our world and all its difficulties and terrors. Make us into your guerrilla fighters armed with your love, respect, tender feelings and nurturing care for each other. Help us keep on laying down ourselves and our lives for your service and your glory by choosing you first and courageously stepping out in love through Jesus Christ our Lord and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.