29 October 20214

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 29 October 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 145

This psalm praises and blesses God for all the great acts of creation, mercy, salvation, awesome acts, steadfast love, compassion, and might. What God has done proclaims the glory of the kingdom. That kingdom will endure forever.

On a more personal level God is faithful, gracious, upholds people while they are falling, raises up people who are oppressed. God provides as required, in time and with justice. God hears, saves and watches us. We will praise the Lord and all living things will bless God forever.

Nehemiah 5: 1 – 13

As a result of building the wall the returning exiles need to buy food, rather than produce it. The famine and taxes mean borrowing money. Interest payments force families to put their children into slavery and in turn some of the daughters have been raped. Nehemiah, angry calls a meeting and charges those who take interest. He argues that as a community they freed people from slavery and exile. He forces them to be aware that these are our people. He insists everyone’s lands and property be restored and the interest returned. He calls the priests so that all may take solemn oaths. He turns his pocket inside out and shakes it saying those who do not fulfil their promise “may God shake them from their own house and property” (v.13). The people praise God and say Amen.

Matthew 19: 1 – 15

Jesus is asked about divorce. He says the original intent was that men and women marry and become one and not be torn apart. The questioners ask why then did Moses set up a divorce process. Jesus answers, because the people were too hard hearted – they are not as was initially intended. So, from the creation perspective divorce is adultery but from the here and now perspective, not everyone can be like that. He then talks about eunuchs – some are born that way, some are made eunuchs and some become so as a devotional act. Not everyone can do this.

People bring children to Jesus to lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples oppose this but Jesus welcomes them and says, “it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (v.14). He lays hands on them and blesses them.

Collect for Morning Prayer

 New Norcia Benedictine Community
WA 2014 L Osburn

 Gracious God you uphold people while they are falling, you lift up people who are oppressed, you recognise that we are who we are and can take into our hearts and minds only what we can. You recognise us with all our quirks, blemishes and our faith. Help us to remember that we are all your children; that we have obligations to each other, to support each other and to bless each other as you blessed the children so that we build your community of faith and bring glory and honour to you through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday 29 October 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 147

This psalm rejoices in singing praise to a gracious God. God builds up the community, gathers the outcasts, heals the broken-hearted and binds their wounds. This is the same God who created the stars. Sing to God.

God brings the rain that produces grass and feeds the animals and allows birds to sing. God isn’t interested in who is the fastest or strongest but in our reverence.

The city of the faithful is charged to praise the Lord: for itself, the safety of the children and the peace. This God who controls all the weather looks after us. No other God is like our God.

Daniel 7: 15 – 28

In Daniel’s vision he approaches one of the beings attending God for an interpretation because it is too terrifying and too puzzling. There will be four kings. The fourth kingdom will be different and from it ten kingdoms will arise then an eleventh that will speak against God and attempt to change holy law. This rule will last a time (for a time, two times and half a time). Then judgement will occur and an everlasting kingdom will be given to God’s people.

2 Peter 2: 1 – 11

Peter warns of false teachers and prophets, who will deny key parts of the gospel, oppress and deceive. If God brought punishment before, and Peter lists key events including punishing angels, then these false ones will be punished. And as righteous people were saved in the past so the faithful will be rescued from trial.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Walkway 40 m above the ground
Valley of the Giants (Red Tingle Forest)
Walpole WA 2014 L Osburn

Gracious and almighty God you care for all creation and us. You encourage us to keep our eyes on you. In this world of change, political turmoil and challenge, give us the awareness and conviction to know that you are with us, standing by us. Enable us to step out boldly in your name to build community, gather outcasts, heal the broken-hearted and bind their wounds with your love through Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit. Amen.