Wednesday 19 November 2014

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
 Holy and magnificent God you make it clear in the scriptures that you dwell in all of us. When we care for others: for those dying, for the lost, the sick, the injured and the healthy whether they need food, drink clothing, a welcome, nurturing or a visit, we are loving you. Peel back the scales from our eyes so that we may see. Motivate us to love one another as you have loved us through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord and Your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

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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