21 October 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 21 October 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 121, 122 and 123

In these three psalms the themes are the eternal faithfulness of God and how he cares for us; the joy and gladness we experience as we enter the house of the Lord with a prayer for safety and peace in Jerusalem, and finally, a prayer for deliverance from those who ridicule and oppress us.

Ezra 7: 11 – 28

King Artaxerxes writes a letter to Ezra giving his specific permission to go to Jerusalem with willing believers. The King gives resources from the treasury and provinces for the temple. Ezra is to set up magistrates and judges and administer Jerusalem in line with Gods Laws. Ezra blesses God.

Matthew 15: 21 – 39

Jesus encounters a Canaanite woman, not Jewish, who calls to him to heal her daughter tormented by a demon. Initially Jesus ignores her. Then explains he was sent to the Jewish people – he is for them – it would be like giving their food to dogs. She counters by saying that even dogs are permitted to eat scraps. Jesus recognises her faith, heals the daughter and understands that his mission is not only to the Jews but to the entire world.

Great crowds follow him. He heals the sick, lame and frail. He has compassion for them seeing they have been with him three days with no food. The disciples have 7 loaves and some fish. Jesus blesses and breaks the food that is distributed to 4000 people and the uncounted women and children. Seven baskets of food remain – more than enough scraps.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Morning Blossom
Armadale WA 2014 L Osburn

Compassionate God of eternal faithfulness and love; you want us to give thanks for all who provide resources so that we may worship and to any who have faith to seek you out. Open our hearts. Release our compassion and generosity so that we share the gifts of your love and the fruits of your Kingdom with everyone we encounter to your honour, glory and love through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tuesday 21 October 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 129 – 152

The psalmist declares a passion for the scripture and the commandments.  There is a request to learn and know them better. There too is recognition that others do not share this zeal and that leads to persecution. There is a plea to be saved from harm.

Daniel 4: 19 – 27

Daniel with courage and deference interprets the King’s dream. The tree is the King and his power will be cut. He will be driven away from human society and will live with wild animals until he recognises that God alone is sovereign. Daniel requests that the King atone for his sins and show mercy to the oppressed so that his prosperity may be prolonged.

1 Peter 3: 8 – 16

Peter asks us to have “a unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart and a humble mind” (v.8). We are to repay evil and abuse with a blessing: speak no evil or deceit. Instead do good things and pursue peace. We are unlikely to be harmed for good conduct and even if we are, we are blessed. We are not to allow ourselves to be intimidated and we are to have no fear. We are to always be ready to make our defence of what we believe and to do it gently and with reverence.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Young kangaroo
Armadale WA 2014 L Osburn

God of mercy and compassion, you give us the strength and courage to focus on you and live our lives in ways that honour you. Help us to reflect on the times we have shown unity of spirit, sympathy, love, tender heartedness, humility, courage and pursued peace. Help us see that as we did any of these today we can do them tomorrow and strengthen our capacity to love and serve you all the days of our lives through Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.