1 December 2014
Collects
Prayers developed from the daily
readings
Monday 1 December 2014
Morning Prayer
Psalm 74
This psalm is one of community lament. Enemies have come and destroyed the
city, the temple and everything that gives identity to the people. An appeal is
made to God using stories of creation and provision for the people. The enemy
ridicules and the soul of the people is at risk of being destroyed. The
psalmist asks to Lord to rise up for the people’s sake.
Isaiah 1: 18 – 31
Jerusalem and her inhabitants are sinning. God
promises that if they willing to be obedient to God then all that dross will be
washed away. If they continue rebelling they will be considered enemies and put
to the sword. The righteous will be restored but the rebels and sinners
destroyed.
Mark 4: 1 – 20
Jesus again preaches from a boat since the crowds are
too great. He tells the parable of the sower and the seed which he later
explains to the disciples. The sower sows seeds that are the word of God. Seed
that falls on the path and is taken by birds is like Satan snatching the words
immediately. The seed in rocky ground is the word received with joy but with
little capacity to root, when trouble or persecution comes the plant fails. The
seed sown among the thorns are those who hear the word but the demands of life,
cares, legitimate concerns, lure of wealth and desire for other things come in
and choke the word and it yields nothing. The seed sown on good soil are those
who hear, accept, commit and will bear fruit, 30, 60 or 100 times as much as
the start.
Collect for Morning Prayer
Desert flowers Head of the Bight SA 2014 L Osburn |
Monday 1 December 2014
Evening Prayer
Psalms 75 and 76
The first psalm begins with praise and moves to God as
judge, putting down the boastful wicked and lifting up the righteous.
In second psalm God is portrayed as a mighty warrior
who protects the poor and oppressed against foes, even armies of nations. Human
wrath has only one role. It provides the trigger for God’s praiseworthy
actions. We are to make vows to God and perform them – bringing ourselves as a
gift to God.
Isaiah 40: 1 – 17
God speaks the great words of comfort to Jerusalem.
She has paid for her sins. Now she is to hear the voice crying in the
wilderness, “prepare the way of the Lord” (v.3). The landscape will change.
What was hard and rough before will be made smooth and easy. God’s glory will
be revealed.
People are temporary but God’s word lasts forever.
Every place is to rejoice – the Lord is coming. The Lord will care for us like
a good shepherd cares for sheep. The Lord is great and almighty. No one direct
or counsels or advises God.
If we were properly to thank God through a burnt
offering there would be not enough timber in the whole of Lebanon or enough
animals – the earth is insignificantly small compared to our God.
1 Thessalonians 1
Paul greets the church in Thessalonica. He recognises
their chosen status since the gospel came to them by word and Holy Spirit. They
became followers of Christ and examples for believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
News of their faith has helped other communities of Christians for they know
how the Thessalonians welcomed Paul and his fellows and turned from idols to
worshipping the living God and wait for Jesus’ return.
Collect for Evening Prayer
An open gate Harrietville Vic 2014 L osburn |
Holy and
generous God, when we consider your gifts to us we recognise your awesome grace
and praise you. We pray for your deliverance and protection for the poor, the
oppressed, those who are ill and for those caught by idols and pride. We pray
too that you will sustain us in our commitments to you so that we your faithful
people can be examples: worshipping you and waiting for you
through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
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