6 December 2014
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Saturday 6
December 2014
Morning
Prayer
Psalm 86
The psalmist approaches God in humility and reverent
recognition asking for assistance. Praise and honour are awarded to God and the
psalmist asks to walk in truth and to have a heart for God alone. Thanks are
given to God for steadfast love.
The main request is for help against the “insolent”
who are threatening the psalmist’s life. The psalmist acknowledges that God is,
merciful, gracious and overflowing with love so asks for grace and strength in
this time of challenge so that those causing trouble may see, reflect and
repent.
Isaiah 5: 18 – 30
Those who live with sin, who mock God, who call evil
good and prefer darkness to light and call bitter sweet, are good at partying
and giving bribes are only wise in their own eyes and shrewd in their own
estimations. They have despised the word of God and will amount to ash. Another
nation will come swiftly and take over – leaving only darkness and distress.
Mark 6: 14 – 29
Herod hears of Jesus’ works and though people think
Jesus is a prophet or Elijah resurrected, Herod thinks Jesus must be John the
Baptist resurrected.
Herod had marries his brother’s wife and had a
daughter who dances at his birthday. John the Baptist had told Herod is was
against the law to be part of this adultery. Salome, the daughter’s dance so
pleases Herod he offers her anything she wishes. She checks with her mother who
instructs her to ask for John the Baptist’s head. The king though grieved has to honour his oath and so orders John’s death. John’s disciples come and
retrieve his body.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
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| Ruins Old Telegraph Station Eucla WA 2014 L Osburn |
Holy Lord we thank you that you give us the free will to
choose you. This means that some people never will -rejecting you and
persecuting your people throughout the ages. You are gracious and us give space
for reflection and repentance. Fill us with your spirit of truth, grace and
courage to stay calm in the face of persecution, to be always open to the
possibility of repentance and transformation so that we are available to assist
those like Herod, Salome and Herodias when your grace moves them to seek you in
truth and humility through Jesus
Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.
Saturday 6 December
2014
Evening
Prayer
Psalm 88
This is a prayer of a faithful person who has been
seriously ill since childhood and now believes they are close to death. The
prayer asks God to listen. The psalmist is bold with God. “Is your steadfast
love declared in the grave…?” (v.11). The only sense of hope in this psalm is
in God’s response.
Isaiah 42: 18 – 43: 13
Isaiah tells the people they are blind and deaf to
God’s provision and word even though they are the chosen messengers. Instead
they are trapped and imprisoned through their own making. Isaiah asks them to
consider heeding God’s word, listening and being restored. God redeems and will
redeem Israel, gathering her people from the ends of the earth. Let the people
see the evidence of God’s actions – see God’s redemption.
1
Thessalonians 4: 13 – 5: 11
Paul
reassures the Thessalonians that those who have died will be raised on the day
the Lord comes. Those of us alive when Jesus comes do not get to be with Him
before them – so encourage one another in hope.
We know
that Jesus will come and we do not need to know when – just be prepared – not
become complacent when we hear news of peace. We are to be steadfast in faith
and hope and love for God has destined us for salvation, not for wrath. Whether
we are alive or dead as his people we will be with Him so we are to encourage
one another and build one another up.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
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| In the garden St Andrew's by the Lake Mulwala NSW 2014 L Osburn |
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