30 December 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 30 December 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 148 and 149

These two psalms call on every part of creation to praise and glorify God.  Parts call for dance and celebration of victories over enemy nations.

Isaiah 30: 29 – 31: 9

The people will sing and rejoice. The Lord will be heard shattering Assyria and the sound will be like tambourines and harps. Those who seek help from Egypt but do not look to God will be full of woe. Those who come to help will stumble and those who called for help will fall. Isaiah compares the enemy to a great lion unafraid of the shepherds who come against it. This is the Lord’s battle and God will shield Jerusalem. Isaiah wants the people to return to God and reject idols. Assyria will fall – they will panic before the sight of the enemy.

John 2: 1 – 12

At a wedding in Cana where Mary, Jesus’ mother is present the wine runs out. She tells Jesus who, though reluctant to reveal himself, asks the servants to fill some barrels with water and draw it out to serve. It is better wine than served previously. The disciples put their faith in him.

Collect for Morning Prayer

In Di's garden
Mandurah WA 2014 L Osburn

Almighty God we praise you and our confidence is in you. When things go wrong, when we are surrounded by enemies and besieged and when things go wrong domestically – little things – help us to call on you as Mary did. Strengthen us to do as you tell us and to wait patiently                                                                                                                                                                                                          for your will to be done through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday 30 December 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 144 and 150

The first psalm is of a king who has prepared for war, he calls on God to be the strong deliverer. He expresses humility not just for himself but all people, asks for God to be with them in routing the enemy. The psalmist will sing praises, the youth and the land will flourish, there will be peace and all happiness will be restored once the battle is won.

The last psalm is of joyful and exuberant praise – instruments, dancing. “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord” (v6).

Isaiah 63: 1 – 9

Isaiah sees God coming robed in splendour and covered in red. God explains that like treading wine in a press and being splashed with the juice, vengeance has been delivered to those who do not acknowledge God. Isaiah praise God for all the kindness to Israel and God replies that surely they are God’s people and God saves them with the angel of his presence and redeems them. God lifts them up and carries them.

Ephesians 1: 15 – 23

Paul says that ever since he heard about the Ephesians he has given thanks and praise to God. Paul prays that they receive wisdom and revelation to know God better, that their eyes can be enlightened to see the hope of their glorious inheritance and God’s power. God’s power was exerted in Christ to raise him from the dead, seat him at God’s right hand and place all things under Christ’s feet to be the head of God’s church.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Exuberant Sulphur Crested Cockatoos
Ovens River and Murray River intersection
Victoria 2014 L Osburn

Holy God full of grace, be with us now at the end of this day. Help us to gently reflect on all the gifts your have given us in our lives and open our hearts to sing your glorious and eternal praise through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.