15 November 2014
Collects
Prayers developed from the daily
readings
Saturday 15 November 2014
Morning Prayer
Psalm 37: 1 – 17
There are people who do evil and prosper. Their
presence is a challenge to us to choose faith, to do good things, to stay calm,
to not get angry or envious of their wealth. Stay with the Lord and be patient.
It is their story and God’s job if they continue to reject God.
Susanna 34 - 64
The two judges bring Susanna to court and lay their
hands on her head to give evidence against her. They accuse her of knowingly
sending her maids away, and being intimate with a young man who was hidden in
the garden. The judges say the young man escaped when they tried to restrain
them both. Susanna crying, prays to God and says aloud that this is false
evidence. The community sentence her to death. However Daniel, a young boy,
cries out that he will not be part of killing someone who is innocent and that
the elders need to examine the witnesses. The elders stop and listen. Daniel instructs
them to separate the witnesses and asks each separately under what tree the
intimate act took place. They each answer a different tree thus proving their
evidence a lie. Both the judges are executed, Susanna is freed and Daniel’s
reputation for wisdom is established.
Matthew 24: 15 – 31
When the disciples and people see the desecrating
sacrilege in the holy place they had best flee – taking nothing. It will be a
dreadful time. Pregnant and nursing women will have the worst of it. The
suffering will be greater than anything seen until now. But it will be cut
short else all the elect would perish. At that time we are not to follow false
Messiahs in the desert or the cities. The sun will be darkened, the moon give
no light, stars will fall from heaven and then the sign of the Son of Man will
appear. People will mourn. Angels will sound a loud trumpet and the elect will
be collected.
Collect for Morning Prayer
Windmill Armadale WA 2014 L Osburn |
Holy Lord,
you are the ultimate power and you love and care for us all. Evil and even the
great calamities at the end of time will have limits. Like Daniel, we are not to
be passive but work to bring your justice and to achieve safety as far as
possible. Be with us today in whatever we encounter. Guide us to do your will
and to trust and hope in you through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord and
Your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.
Saturday 15 November 2014
Evening Prayer
Psalm 37: 18 – 41
This portion of the psalm continues with examples of
God’s retribution for the wicked and protection and salvation for the faithful
and the meek.
Wisdom 3: 1– 15
The death of the righteous will seem to the ungodly to
be a disaster. But they will be safe, visited by God and shine. Those who trust
God will understand the truth and the faithful will be with God. The ungodly
will find their works come to nothing of substance.
Women who cannot have children and eunuchs both of
whom lived good lives will be blessed and have a place of delight with God.
Revelation 6: 1 - 11
The Lamb opens the first five seals. Seal one is a
white horse irresistible conquering power. The second is red symbolising war
and bloodshed. The third is black symbolising the famine that follows war. The fourth
is pale green, pestilence and death but not total destruction of the earth. The fifth is
the prayers of all those martyred for the sake of Christ. The martyrs ask how
long? They are given pure white robes to wear and are told that more will be
martyred before this is over.
Collect for Evening Prayer
Birds returning to the nest at dusk Armadale WA 2014 L Osburn |
Holy Lord you and only you know what lies ahead. Help
us to remain faithful and calm assured of your love and care even though wars,
pestilence and destruction surround us. Help us to continually seek you and to
care for others in these times to your glory through Jesus Christ our Lord and
Saviour. Amen.
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