10 October 2014
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Friday 10
October 2014
Morning
Prayer
Psalms 92 and 93
In the first psalm God’s faithfulness and steadfast
love is praised. On this occasion the King’s enemies have failed in some other
place and are no more. Everything has been restored. The righteous people
prosper.
In the second psalm God’s greatness is praised – more
powerful than floods, more powerful than the seas. God’s commandments are sure
and God lives in holiness.
Zechariah 1: 18
– 2: 13
Zechariah has a vision part of which is recounted in
this section. He sees four horns that represent the four powerful nations and
four blacksmiths come to destroy them. Then Zechariah sees a man about to
measure the area that is Jerusalem predicting that the city will be so big it
will have no walls and God will be a wall of fire around it.
Zechariah hears instructions to escape to Zion. The
Lord will come and live in Zion and the people will be God’s people. The people
are to be silent before God who is moving and active in the world.
Matthew 12: 22 – 37
Some Pharisees accuse Jesus of being in league with
the devil since he orders demons out of people. But, it is not in the devil’s
interest to have his kingdom divided against itself; under whose power do their
own exorcist’s work? They can accept that their own exorcists also evil or
accept that the Kingdom of God is with them now. Jesus’ power is be stronger
than the one keeping the demon in. So it follows that anyone who isn’t with
Jesus is against Him.
He accepts that humans will say derogatory things
about Him but they are not to do so about the Holy Spirit – now or in the
future.
Jesus challenges the Pharisees to decide whether He is
good and all that comes from Him is good or decide He is bad and that all that
comes from him is bad. He then shows that since dreadful things comes out of
their mouths they are bad to the core. People who are good inside produce good
words and it is by our words – what we produce, we will be judged.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
Lucky Bay Cape Le Grand National Park WA 2014 L Osburn |
Almighty
God you are more powerful than any army, evil, flood or tsunami. From you come
love, freedom, hope and grace. May the words of our mouths and the meditations
of our hearts be acceptable to you this day and every day of our lives so that
we may with confidence approach you and receive your everlasting love through
Jesus Christ who died for us. Amen.
Friday 10 October 2014
Evening
Prayer
Psalm 94
The psalmist calls people to remember that God does
can and will act for the righteous. We are all reminded that nothing is hidden
from God who formed all ears, all types of eyes. Will God not be able to see or
hear what we are up to? The psalmist writes that disciplined believers are
blessed, that the Lord is there for them and consoles. The Lord helps.
1 Maccabees 13: 41 – 53
The land is now free from all invaders from other
countries and Simon now high priest and commander lays siege on Gazara, allows
the inhabitant to repent, cleanses the city and installs faithful people in the
houses. He does the same in Jerusalem and there is great celebration at the
cleansing and restoration of the city. Simon then makes his son John, the
commander.
Philemon
1 – 14
Paul
sends this letter with Onesimus who was a slave and had left. Paul attests to
Onesimus’s usefulness and asks that Philemon welcome Onesimus. Paul wanted to
keep Onesimus but instead sends him back for Philemon to make a decision.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Eucla looking over the Southern Ocean WA 2014 L Osburn |
Wonderful
God, nothing is hidden from you and through you all things are restored. Be
with us this night, free us from all the situations that oppress us, restore us,
console us and refresh us so that we may rise with energy and enthusiasm to
serve you in this world you love through Jesus Christ our Lord and your Holy
Spirit in our hearts. Amen.
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