9 December 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 9 December 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 89: 39 – 53

The psalm is about a descendant of David for whom there has been losses in battle, destruction of the city and removal of the office of King. It laments the withdrawal of the support and protection of God. This is an appeal to God to remember the promises to David.

Isaiah 7: 18 – 8: 4

Isaiah prophesies that the land will be taken over. There will be humiliation and the people fed on baby food. The production in the land will cease and vineyards will be overgrown with thorns. The King of Assyria is coming the land is now owned by “The spoil speeds, the prey hastes”.

Mark 7: 1 – 23

Pharisees and scribes complain to Jesus that the disciples eat without washing their hands thus defying tradition. Jesus calls them on their hypocrisy for setting up human rituals and forgetting the heart of worship. He reminds them of the commandment to honour our parents but have a human-based doctrine to give offerings to God in place of practical, material care to parents. This in effect makes void God’s word. He says they have many false traditions like this.

He then says that there is nothing going in to a person that can defile but only things that come out*. Jesus explains this parable later. Food goes in the body and leaves. But it is what comes from a person’s heart: evil intentions, that lead to evil acts that Jesus lists.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Dawn
Lake Mulwala NSW 2014 L Osburn

Almighty God, you have made promises that you will protect your people and you work sometimes by monumental change, to bring freedom and release. Be with us when we are scared of what is to come, lamenting losses or experiencing humiliation. Stand with us so that we do not resort to ritual but instead activate our hearts of worship and mobilise ourselves to prayer and thanksgiving through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday 9 December 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 91

This psalm is one of reassurance and comfort about the care and protection the faithful have from God. “For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (v.11)”. This is a great reminder of God’s loving protection and deliverance to those who call for salvation.

Isaiah 44: 6 – 23

Isaiah explains in detail the way idols are made first metal then wood. Idols are just stuff not gods. Indeed the carpenter uses some of the wood for heating and to cook food. It is only delusion and a fraud that leads one to worship the rest of the block no matter its shape. Remember instead we have a real, living, forgiving God who has redeemed us. Let us break out in praise and thanksgiving.

2 Thessalonians 1

Paul begins with a greeting and praise of the people for their faithfulness during persecutions and afflictions. He reassures them of God’s love and that those who are against God will be separated from God’s love and glory at the end. He prays for them continually and that all they do in faith succeeds and brings glory to God through Jesus Christ and to them in Him.

Collect for Evening Prayer

These come out at Christmas in Australia so as a child
they were "Christmas Star" flowers
St Andrew's by the Lake Mulwala NSW
2014 L Osburn

Holy loving nurturing and protecting God, you know our struggles and challenges. We bring to you our lives at the end of this day. Hold us in your embrace, remind us how great you are and how much you love us so that we may step out again in faith and hope and praise and thanksgiving and by your grace bring glory to you through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

* Note v.16 is missing from all Bibles.