17 December 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 17 December 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 106: 1– 24

The psalmist begins praising God and marvelling at God’s faithful love and great deeds. He then charges that we like the people of the past – from the Exodus to the time of Aaron – go astray.

Isaiah 17: 1 – 11

Isaiah offers that Damascus will become a heap of ruins. Its southern city Aroer will be desolate. It will be as if the land was reaped: only one or two grains of wheat left. Or like an olive where one or two of the fruit are left on the tree. People will start to look at the Lord who they forgot. There will be incurable disease and pain.

Mark 10: 46 – 11: 11

Bartimaeus, cannot see. He hears Jesus coming, calls out. He persists. When the crowd tell him Jesus calls, he jumps to his feet and hurries. Jesus asks what he wants and Bartimaeus asks to see. He is healed. Bartimaeus follows Jesus.

Jesus begins the entry to Jerusalem. He instructs the disciples to find the colt. Jesus sits on the colt and rides into Jerusalem. People spread their cloaks or palm branches on the road before him shouting, “Hosanna” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”. Jesus goes directly to the temple then stays the night in Bethany.

Collect for Morning Prayer

The Path
Torndirrup National Part WA
2014 L Osburn

God of great things, great works, and great love, you call us, heal us and we become your disciples. Help us be like Bartimaeus: seeking and crying out to you, ready to respond to your call, ready to answer and ready to follow so that we make our lives part of your great story and glorify you through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday 17 December 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 106: 25 – 50

The ancient people keep shifting allegiance and worshipping other gods. They even conduct live sacrifice of their children. Yet God delivers them, shows compassion. The psalmist asks for God to gather us in to give thanks, glory and praise to God.

Isaiah 54

Jerusalem is described using the metaphor of a barren woman. Here children will be many, her past shame will be forgotten. The turning away of God will result in compassion and restoration better than before. Peace and righteousness will exist. Tyranny and terror will be no more. No weapons forged and used against Jerusalem will prevail. No words will be able to accuse her.

Revelation 19: 1 – 10

John hears a great multitude singing Hallelujah and praising God. The elders, the living creatures all down and worship God. The noise of the praise and worship is enormous.  John is told to write down, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb”. John falls to worship at the feet of the messenger who speaks to him and is rebuked, “Do not do it!” The messenger indicates equality with us who hold to the testimony of Jesus. “Worship God!”

Collect for Evening Prayer

Reflection Time
Mandurah WA 2014 L Osburn

Holy and God, you are the one God from everlasting to everlasting. Be with us now and help us to open our hearts to worship and adore you. Be with us as we give you thanks and praise for all the blessing of this day and of our lives with you so that we may love you with all our heart, mind, soul and strength through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.