Friday 17 October 2014

18 October 2014


Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 


Saturday 18 October 2014 
Morning Prayer

Psalm 107: 1 – 22

Whether we are lost in a dry place, imprisoned or sick we are encouraged to “cry to the Lord whose steadfast love endures forever”.

Ezra 6: 1 – 15

King Darius delivers an edict based on a scroll found in archives at Ecbatana showing that Cyrus decreed the temple be built, paid for from treasury and the temple vessels returned. Darius adds that the governor should allow the building to proceed, use the taxes from the region to fund it, provide the priests and builders with food and with the animals they need to sacrifice. Further, people who alter the edict will have their own house destroyed. The governor and his associates comply and the temple is completed in the sixth year of Darius’ reign, fulfilling all the prophesies of Haggai and Zechariah.

Matthew 14: 22 – 36

Jesus sends the disciples on ahead by boat to cross Lake Galilee. He goes up the mountain to pray alone. There are high winds on the lake and the boat is being battered. By morning the disciples see Jesus coming to them walking on the water. The disciples think it is a ghost and are filled with fear. Jesus speaks, they recognise him and Peter asks can he walk on water too. He gets out of the boat then takes his eye off Jesus, feels the fear again and sinks. He cries out to Jesus. Jesus rescues him. Jesus asks why did Peter doubt. Then those on the boat worship him: truly he is the Son of God. They land at Gennesaret and Jesus heals more people.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Storm and Promise on the Way
Near Yass NSW 2013 L Osburn
 God of wonders, you have plans for us based on your steadfast and enduring love. No matter our location, the strength of the oppressor, or opposition, or the storm, keep us focused on Christ so that your love and freedom can be revealed in us and in the lives we live through Jesus Christ your Son our saviour and redeemer. Amen.


Saturday 18 October 2014
Evening Prayer

Psalm 107: 23 – 43

The psalmist recalls some of God’s saving and restoring actions – saving sailors and bringing rain to the desert. We are reminded that faithfulness leads to hope, and pride leads to being brought low. We are to call on the Lord for our great provision.

Daniel 3: 16 – 30

Schadrach, Meshach and Abednego tell the King that if God can deliver them from the furnace may he do it but even if their God does not rescue them from the furnace they will not bow down to another god or to the idol he built. Nebuchadnezzar has them thrown into a furnace so hot the men who throw them in perish.

The King sees 4 people in the furnace: one who looks like a god. He orders the young men to come out. They are unharmed. The King recognises the power of God and decrees that anyone who utters blasphemy against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses made a ruin since there is no other God who can deliver in this way. He promotes the three men.

1 Peter 2: 18 – 25

Peter encourages all to be obedient even to harsh and unfair rule. If we endure being beaten for something we did wrong there is no credit in that. Christ was without blemish and had uttered no deceit yet he was crucified. He didn’t fight back or abuse. Instead he put himself in God’s hands – gave himself to the one who judges justly. By Christ we have been healed and set free. He is the shepherd and guardian of our souls.

Collect for Evening Prayer

The Nullabor Plain (no trees at all)
Nullabor WA 2014 L Osburn
God of restoration and hope you show us that trying to act from our own power – even if we are powerful Kings – leads to embarrassing shame and remorse. Faithfulness however, leads to hope and restoration. Fill us with faith, calm and prayerfulness so that we may endure, bring hope to others and glory to you through Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

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