13 December 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 13 December 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 101 and 102: 1 – 11

The first psalm is a statement of commitment to justice and like a king to be in charge of one’s life: to be loyal and just for God, to study being blameless, to have integrity and to keep away from those who slander, tell lies or are proud.

The portion of the second psalm is a lament. The psalmist is unwell and in great pain unable to eat or sleep and tormented by others who suggest God has deserted him.

Isaiah 10: 12 - 32

Isaiah reveals that once the Lord’s purpose for Jerusalem is complete the Assyrian king will be humbled – as any implement cannot independently act on the person who wielded it, so the King has no power against God. Assyrian domination will fade. A remnant of the faithful will return to Jerusalem and oppression will cease. 

In the meantime, Isaiah indicates the route the Assyrian invasion will take.

Mark 8: 27 – 9: 1

On the way to Philippi Jesus asks the disciples who people say he is then asks them who the disciples think he is. Peter answers that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus begins to tell them what is about to happen: the elders and priests will reject him, he will be put to death, and he will rise again after three days. Peter takes him aside and tells him not to say these things. Jesus identifies temptation coming through Peter and rebukes Satan. He tells Peter that his perception is not God’s but from a human point of view. Jesus calls the disciples and the crowd closer and says we need to put aside out human points of view: to deny our selves. We are to take up Christ’s cross and follow Him. Those who want to save their lives will lose it. Those who jettison their life for Christ and for the gospel will save it. Gaining the whole world is nothing if we lose our souls. If we are ashamed of Christ and Christ’s words in our communities that are like adulterers – loving other things than God – then Jesus will be ashamed of us at the final judgement.

Jesus says that some of the disciples will see the kingdom of God come with power before they die.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Transformation
Harrietville Victoria 2014 L Osburn

Holy Lord and saviour, you are there for us in the challenges of life, sickness, invasion, and our struggle to understand what you what for us. You ask us to be open to the changes you make in us by grace. Help us to put aside our human perceptions and fears, to be proud of you, what you have said and done and given us and to rejoice so that are hearts are open, eager to accept your love and grace and transformation through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Saturday 13 December 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 102: 12-28

This second portion of the lament turns into a hymn of prayer and praise to God. God will look after us; hears our prayers even in prison or doomed to die. God is eternal. The psalmist asks to be granted some more years of life.

Isaiah 48: 1 – 13

Isaiah reveals God’s perception of the stubbornness of people. God has revealed what will occur and then those things happened. The revelations make it clear it was God’s doing and not caused by idols of wood or metal. New things are going to be revealed that humans cannot guess. Human have been tried and refined and there is more to come. This is the everlasting one, the creator of the universe. When God summons, the universe responds.

Revelation 14: 13 - 20

Those who die in the Lord are blessed and will rest peacefully.

John sees a human form on a cloud with a gold crown and sickle.  On the command of an angel from the temple the one with the sickle harvests the earth. A second angel comes with another sickle and a third angel of fire instructs the harvesting of grapes. The grapes are thrown into a winepress, called the winepress of God’s wrath, where they are crushed and blood flows.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Green and pleasant path
Harrietville Victoria 2014
L Osburn 

Holy and almighty God with you in our lives we know the reality and wonder of your presence. When we read the scriptures we know the reality and wonder of your patience, and power and learn how it is manifest in the world. Be with us now as we reflect on our day and take a walk with you in a pleasant place. Open us up to honestly assess whether we are living and being the way we are out of love for you or out of fear of your wrath? Open us to love so that we may: see you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly every day through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.