20 November 2014
Collects
Prayers developed from the daily
readings
Thursday 20 November 2014
Morning Prayer
Psalm 48
This psalm praises Mt Zion City of God its walls and
grandeur. Moreover, it is the place where God can be found and kings approaching
fall and fail once they recognise God dwells here. In the temple the people
ponder God’s steadfast love and praise God’s name throughout the earth. The
psalmist tells us to come to the holy city, walk around; go into the citadels
so that we can tell our children and their children that this God, our God will
be our guide forever.
Zechariah 11: 4 – 17
In Zechariah’s oracle God tells him to be the shepherd
for a flock of sheep about to be slaughtered.
The people, who buy the sheep, kill them without
punishment or sell them and become rich and bless the Lord. There is no
protection. The sheep and earth are being devastated.
In this oracle Zechariah becomes a shepherd and has
two shepherds crooks, one called Favour and one called Unity. He dismisses three shepherds
who detest God. He breaks the staff called Favour and leaves the sheep to their
fate – annulling the covenant made with the people. The sheep merchants who can see what is going on give the
shepherd 30 shekels of silver in wages. Zechariah is told by God to put these
into the temple treasury. Then he breaks the staff of Unity annulling the ties
between Israel and Judah. God tells Zechariah to take up the implements of a
worthless shepherd. The one who will rule these people is someone who doesn’t
care for the perishing, does not seek the wandering or heal the maimed or
nourish the healthy. This shepherd of the people is cursed.
Matthew 25: 31 – 46
When the Son of Man comes in Glory there will be a
separation of people from all nations into two groups: the sheep and the goats.
The sheep will immediately be welcome and inherit the kingdom prepared for
them. They have cared for and nourished God. These righteous ones will ask when
did they do that. God answers that when they did it for even the least of God’s
family, they did it for God. And
to the accursed ones, God banishes them for not caring for or nourishing God.
When they protest, God also replies that when they did not do it for even the
least of God’s family, they did not do it for God.
Collect for Morning Prayer
Duck at the beach Esperance WA 2014 L Osburn |
Thursday 20 November 2014
Evening Prayer
Psalms 49
This is a riddle psalm / song.
Bow down everyone everywhere. Why should we worry
about persecutors, the wealthy? No one can live forever. The wise and foolish
die too. All possessions are left to others. Mortals can’t abide all the pomp
of life – we will die. Those who are pleased with their lot will die.
But God
will ransom my soul and receive me.
Don’t be afraid when someone becomes richer and they
are happy in their life. They and they ancestors will be gone. Mortals can’t abide
all the pomp of life – we will die.
Wisdom 6: 17 – 7: 6
The beginning of wisdom is the desire for instruction
– to love instruction. Wisdom brings one nearer to God. Therefore if you want
to be a ruler, honour wisdom. Wisdom was present at the creation of the world.
Increasing wisdom will be the salvation of the world and bring stability to
peoples. Everyone was conceived, born, fell over and cried. No one has a
different beginning and no one has a different end.
Revelation 9: 1 - 12
At the sound of the fifth trumpet a star that had
fallen is given a key that opens a bottomless pit. Smoke rises darkening
everything. Then comes a swarm of locusts given authority to not harm any plant
or creature except those humans who do not have a seal on their forehead. Those are to
suffer torture for 5 months. They will seek death and not find it. The
locusts are described as an amalgam of many things. Over them is the one in
charge of the bottomless pit whose is called Abaddon or destruction. This is
the first woe there are two more to come.
Collect for Evening Prayer
Windmill water pump at sunset Armadale WA 2014 L Osburn |
Great teacher and Lord you show us that we all have short lives and that
what is important is not our wealth or power but our desire to be taught and to
grow in knowledge and love of you. Help us reflect on the motivation we need to
seek you continuously. Help us to know how to reach and motivate others to seek
you too so that we are yours and eternally safe in your arms through Jesus
Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
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