28 October 2014
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Tuesday 28
October 2014
Morning
Prayer
Psalms 143 and 146
The psalmist is in hiding in a cave and sounds
depressed yet, is still reaching out to God; is still trusting and obedient.
The next psalm
is one of praise to God who is trustworthy – more than princes: more than
mortals. Our God sets prisoners free and cares for orphans and widows.
Nehemiah 4
The ridicule increases as construction of the wall
begins. The wall is built to half its original size all the way around. The
opposition plot to bring confusion and stop the rebuilding. The Israelites hear
of the plot and the builders become guards too – the burden is too much.
Nehemiah organises the people to gather behind the lowest parts of the wall in
family groups all armed. The builders are armed. If there is trouble an alarm
system alerts the builders and families who are spread out so that they can
rally. The people are faithful. They believe God is with them. Every man and
every servant spends the night inside Jerusalem guarding the wall.
Matthew 18: 15 – 35
Jesus gives instructions about discipline in the
church. If someone sins against you, talk with him or her alone. If the matter
is not resolved have two witnesses and talk again. If the person refuses to
listen they are to be treated respectfully as outsiders where there is an
opening to return. When we make decisions together those decisions are binding.
When we gather in Christ’s name, Christ is there among us.
Peter asks about forgiving others and how many times
do we forgive. Jesus tells the parable of the servant who owes a great debt to
a king and pleads for more time. The king forgives the debt. But that same
servant demands payment of a relatively trivial debt from someone else and is
harsh. When the king hears, he calls the servant wicked for not forgiving as he
has been forgiven and so withdraws his forgiveness and tortures the servant
until the debt is paid. If we fail to forgive others in our hearts as we have been
forgiven we will be called to account too.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
Grain Loader Esperance WA 2014 L Osburn |
Tuesday 28 October 2014
Evening
Prayer
Psalm
119: 153 – 176
This
portion of the psalm is a plea for preservation of life from someone who is
devout “my soul keeps your decrees” and who admits going astray.
Daniel 7: 1 – 14
Daniel reports a dream he had in the first year of
King Belshazzar. It is of great beasts coming out of the sea one being utterly
destroyed by the Lord and the rest, their dominion taken. Then a form of person
presents to the Lord and is given everlasting dominion, glory and kingship over
all people’s nations and languages.
2 Peter 1:
12 – 21
Peter
clarifies that the gospel does not derive from clever myths but from eyewitness
accounts. God honoured Jesus and God’s voice was heard calling Jesus “Son” and
“My Beloved” when the disciples were with Him on the mountain.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Esperance WA 2014 L Osburn |
Holy God
of power and love, you guide us through scripture, your law and your faithful people.
Open our eyes, ears and hearts so that we may see the out-workings of Christ’s
presence in our lives and give you praise and honour and glory forever through Jesus
Christ and your Holy Spirit. Amen.
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