31 October 2014
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Friday 31
October 2014
Morning
Prayer
Psalm 83:1 – 8 (9 – 18)
This plea for protection from enemies comes at a time
when Israel is under attack from all the neighbouring peoples. The enemies are
enemies of God, making a covenant against God. Direct action from God is
requested.
Nehemiah 6: 10 – 7: 4
Nehemiah visits Shemaiah who is under house arrest.
Shemaiah wants to go with Nehemiah to the temple to hide Nehemiah from the
enemy who seek to kill him. Nehemiah recognises this as another attempt at
intimidation and thus perceives Shemaiah as the enemy within.
When the walls are complete all the surrounding
peoples are agitated since they know God is with the Israelites. Communications
flow between them all. More letters attempting intimidation come to Nehemiah.
Nehemiah orders the city gates to be open in daylight
hours. Guards are posted at the gates, watch posts and the houses.
Matthew 20: 1 – 16
Jesus tells a parable of the Kingdom. It is an owner
of a vineyard who hires workers for a day’s pay. Later he hires more, and again
later. Each are paid the same even those who come late and did not labour as
hard for the owner. This parable is not about industrial relations but about
the generosity of God to us all and the payment is eternal life.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
Bridge Foundations Mandurah WA 2014 L Osburn |
Generous and loving God you love each one of us. You know the struggles we have with enemies and those who are enemies of you. You do not want us to cower or to be intimidated but to get on with building our firm foundations with you at the centre of our lives. Help us to remember every moment that we are yours so that we celebrate you, the Most High over all the earth and praise you for your gift even to the least of us of eternal life through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.
Friday 31 October 2014
Evening
Prayer
Psalms 109: 1 – 5 (6 – 14) 15 – 19
The psalmist is falsely accused and cursed by others.
He prays that those who have forgotten compassion, who curse instead of bless
receive back what they have done.
Daniel 8: 15 – 27
In Daniel’s vision he hears a voice calling to Gabriel
to help Daniel understand the vision. Gabriel explains that it is the future –
the end times to come. The ram with two horns represents the Kings of Media and
Persia. The male goat is the King of Greece. He explains that one will arise
skilled in power and intrigue causing great destruction. He will rise up against
the Prince of princes and shall be broken but not by human hands. Gabriel tells
Daniel to seal up the vision for it is about many days in the future.
2 Peter
3: 3 – 10
Peter says
people will scoff about our commitment to the return of Christ and the end
times. They will say the world will go on as always. They will deliberately
ignore that God’s word existed before the beginning and was the creative force.
The Lord’s time frame is not the same as ours and God wants us all to come to
repentance. When the last day comes we won’t know – it will steal up like a
thief.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Evening in Denmark WA 2014 L Osburn |
Holy Lord
you teach us compassion by your great example. You show us to bless those who
scoff at us or curse us for our beliefs. Help us to relax in your loving arms
and know that you will recognise us at the end and that by your grace any of
those who scoff or deny may also be beside us, repentant and forgiven through
Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment