Sunday 30 November 2014

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
 Holy God, powerful teacher compassionate Lord, trouble, persecution, wars, illness and poverty abound. So many of the people who hear your word are in field of rocks and paddocks of thorns and invasive weeds. Open our eyes and hearts so that we have compassion for those, whose circumstances mean it is hard to hear, accept and commit to you. Be with us as we pray for them since only you can change their landscape and weather through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.




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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