Friday 14 November 2014

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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