Friday 21 November 2014

22 November 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 


Saturday 22 November 2014 
Morning Prayer

Psalm 51

The psalmist asks for God’s mercy for sins to be forgiven, transgressions blotted out. The psalmist admits that the sin was against God alone and God’s judgement is justified. Since God desires truth, the psalmist asks to be taught wisdom in his secret heart. The psalmist wants to experience joy and gladness again since his whole being is crushed in recognition of his sin. “Create in me a new heart, O God and put a right spirit within me” (v.10).

Zechariah 13

In Zechariah’s oracle on the day the people look on the one who they have pierced and mourn a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and the people of Jerusalem to cleanse themselves from sin and impurity. Idols will be removed and parents will recognise false prophets among their children and cut them off. The other prophets, recognising they are wrong, will till soil and when asked about their wounds they will say my friends did this for me.  The Lord will divide the people two-thirds shall be cut off and perish, one third will be refined in fire, tested, and God will say, “They are my people” and they will answer, “The Lord is our God”.

Mark 1: 14 – 28

After John the Baptist is arrested Jesus begins his public ministry saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news” (v.15). He engages fishermen to come and fish for people: Simon, Andrew, James and John. In Capernaum he teaches in the synagogue as one with authority. He rebukes an unclean spirit in a man and it obeys him. The people are astounded. His fame spreads.


Collect for Morning Prayer


Sculpture
Fremantle Harbour WA
2014 L Osburn
Holy Lord, you are merciful and gracious. Be with us now as we repent our sins – the ones we know about and the ones to which we are still blind. Create in us new hearts with the right spirit able to discern your truth and be part of the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.






Saturday 22  November 2014
Evening Prayer

Psalms 52 and 53

In the first psalm a person who trusts riches and seeks refuge in wealth and who is mischievous and plots destruction is warned that God will respond. In comparison those who trust in God are like a green olive tree, trusting in the steadfast love of God and praising God.

Wisdom 7: 21 – 8: 4

The characteristics of wisdom are listed. “In every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God” (v.27). Against wisdom, evil does not prevail. Wisdom is an initiate in the knowledge of God and an associate in God’s works.

Revelation 10

The seventh angel is wrapped in a cloud with a rainbow over the head. The angel has a face like the sun and legs that are like pillars of fire. One foot is set on land and one on the sea. The angel shouts and John is not permitted to write the words. There will be no more delay. When the seventh angel’s trumpet sounds the mystery of God will be revealed. John is instructed to take the little scroll held by the angel and eat it. It is sweet as honey but has a bitter after-effect. Then John is told to prophesy again about many peoples, languages and kings.


Collect for Evening Prayer

Fishing Fleet
Fremantle Harbour WA 2014 L Osburn
Holy God you are indeed mysterious and awesome. Be with us now as we reflect on our day and recognise the times we trusted you and your steadfast love, and those times when your wisdom was manifest in us. Let us praise you and thank you so that in the days to come our capacity to trust grows and our capacity to listen to your wisdom can flourish in us, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen. 

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