10 December 2014
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Wednesday
10 December 2014
Morning
Prayer
Psalms 92 and 93
In the first psalm God’s faithfulness and steadfast
love is praised. On this occasion enemies have failed in some other place and
are no more. Everything has been restored. The righteous people prosper.
In the second psalm God’s greatness is praised – more
powerful than floods, more powerful than the seas. God’s commandments are sure
and God lives in holiness.
Isaiah 8: 5 – 9: 1
Isaiah prophesies that Assyria will come like a great
flood and sweep all before it including Judah. People will have all sorts of
theories and plans and God’s way will be what happens. Isaiah and his family
will stay calm. Whereas those who have other beliefs will find themselves
wandering hungry, with no guidance looking up and looking down and cursing
their gods. They will experience darkness. For those who were in anguish during
the Babylonian rule, their gloom will be no more.
Mark 7: 24 – 37
Jesus goes to Tyre for a break and stays in a house –
but he can not help being noticed. A woman whose daughter has an unclean
spirit comes, kneel down and begs him to cast the demon out from her daughter.
The woman is not a Jew but part Syrian part Phoenician. Jesus says it isn’t
fair to take the children’s food and give it to the puppies (the household
pets). She immediately responds that even the puppies get the crumbs. Jesus
says she may go and that her daughter is healed.
Jesus returns by a roundabout route to the area of the
Decapolis on the east of the Jordan. A man who has impaired hearing and speech
is brought to him. Jesus takes him aside, prays and touches the affected areas.
The man hears and speaks plainly. Although Jesus tells people to stay quite
they are so amazed they cannot help spreading news of what he does.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
King parrot Harrietville Vic 2014 L Osburn |
Wonderful and awesome God your compassion and care for us is
everlasting. We thank you that we are all in your household and that through
your son we are no longer house pets but your children by adoption. Being
healed is news: being made your child is the great news.
Lift up our hearts as your healing did in the Decapolis. Help us be so full of
wonder and joy we cannot help telling people of your greatness and love for us
all, everywhere through Jesus
Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.
Wednesday
10 December 2014
Evening
Prayer
Psalm 94
The psalmist calls people to remember that God does
can and will act for the righteous. We are all reminded that nothing is hidden
from God who formed all ears, all types of eyes. Will God not be able to see or
hear what we are up to? The psalmist writes that disciplined believers are
blessed, that the Lord is there for them and consoles. The Lord helps.
Isaiah 44: 24 – 45: 8
In Isaiah’s prophecy the Lord’s credibility and
history are recalled. That the Lord uses
Cyrus the Assyrian to achieve the restoration of Jerusalem and the rebuilding
of the temple, why would we be amazed? Even though Cyrus does not know God, God
is with him in all his endeavours. There is only one God for everyone. May
righteousness shower down, the earth open and salvation spring up and more
righteousness sprout.
2
Thessalonians 2
Paul
explains that the day of the Lord though immanent is not here because we know
that the lawless one who opposes all gods but places itself at the centre of
people’s worship has not yet fully arrived. Jesus will destroy this lawless
one. Meanwhile Satan is using all forms of trickery on those who refuse to love
the truth and be saved. These people will be caught in false beliefs and will
eventually be condemned.
He goes
on to say we need to give thanks that by the grace of God they have salvation
through sanctification of the Spirit of God. They are encouraged to stand firm
in their beliefs. Paul prays that their
hearts are comforted and that they are strengthened in their good work and
ministry of the word.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
New magnolias opening Harrietville Vic 2014 L Osburn |
Holy and
magnificent God, you see and know everything and work through everyone, even
those who do not know you to achieve your purposes and love for us. Open our
hearts to give you thanks and praise. Help us stand firm in our love for you.
Comfort and strengthen us in all we do in our daily ministries, honest dealing
and sharing your word through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
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