11 December 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 11 December 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 95 and 96

Sing to God songs of praise for all things God has done for us. Be joyful. Make a noise. Do not harden your heart like the Israelites did when they were wandering in the wilderness.

Sing praise to the Lord! Ascribe to God the glory of creation. Let everything, the heavens, the trees, everything sing and praise God.

Isaiah 9: 2 - 17

Isaiah announces the coming of one who will bring great light to the people living in darkness. All enemies will fall, oppression will cease and war will end. For a child is born who will rule and be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government will be everlasting.

Before that time, there will continue to be destruction of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Samaria. The elders, prominent people and prophets lead the people astray. They may think things are about to get better; instead things will get worse for those who are astray.

Mark 8: 1 – 13

Jesus, still in the area of the Decapolis has a crowd who have been with him for three days. In compassion he asks the disciples what food they have – seven loaves and a few small fish. Jesus gives thanks, breaks it and feeds the 4000 men.

Jesus and the disciples cross the sea by boat. Pharisees question him and ask for a sign. Jesus sighs. He asks why this generation asks for “a sign”; no sign will be given to it.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Female King Parrot
Harrietville Vic 2014 L Osburn

Holy and wonderful God you have built a universe of enormous complexity and life. Open our eyes to you, to the signs of your greatness all around, to the counsel that comes through stillness with you, to your peace that passes all understanding and break open our hearts so we sing with joy and connect with you always through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Thursday 11 December 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 97 and 98

The first psalm celebrates God using the theme of God as sovereign. Let everyone who is faithful rejoice and praise God.

The psalm is a summons to all nations and people to praise the Lord and rejoice in this name. God’s is the victory, God’s is the strength and we are God’s people. God comes to judge the earth with righteousness and equity.

Isaiah 45: 9 – 25

Isaiah delivers God’s message: a piece of pot doesn’t question the potter – especially not a broken piece among all the other broken pieces. We don’t say to our parents, “What have you done having us?” So don’t question God about God’s children, how God works or tell God how to do things. This is the creator of the universe. God says that Jerusalem will be rebuilt through the agency of Cyrus the Assyrian invader. Produce and people will come from across the kingdom and recognise God as the only God.

God does not manifest in idols: God hides. God has a track record of speaking the truth. So we are to gather together the fugitives, show them that God speaks the truth, that there is only one God who is righteous and saves. God has uttered the word and at God’s word every knee will bow and every tongue swear that in the Lord alone are righteousness and strength. All who rage against God will be put to shame.

2 Thessalonians 3

Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray for him and his companions – that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and that they are delivered from evil people. Paul prays that the Thessalonians hearts will be directed into God’s love and perseverance.

Paul warns the Thessalonians against idleness. All need to work for their food as Paul and his companions did when they were there. If people are idle and busybodies they are to be told to settle down and earn what they eat. All are to never tire of doing what is right. If people do not obey stay away, don’t treat them as enemies but warn them.

Paul blesses the Thessalonians and asks for God’s peace to be with them.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Our resident wild rabbit
Harrietville Vic 2014 L Osburn

Holy God of peace and grace, what you have created and the things you have done for us are beyond measure. Be with us now in stillness. Help us sift through our day and observe the times we questioned you or doubted how much you love us. Break open our hearts so that we rejoice and praise you, are filled with the desire to tell others how great you and to be part of rapidly spreading your message through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.