15 September 2015
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Tuesday 15 September 2015
Morning
Prayer
Psalm 37: 1 – 17
There are people who do
evil and prosper. Their presence is a challenge to us to choose faith, to do
good things, to stay calm, to not get angry or envious of their wealth. Stay
with the Lord and be patient. It is their story and God’s job if they continue
to reject him. “Do not fret – it leads only to evil” (v.8).
1 Kings 10: 14 – 29
This section catalogues the
immense wealth of the kingdom under Solomon and all the trappings of that
wealth – an ivory throne covered in gold. Trading brings the wealth from the
ends of the Mediterranean. They are able to buy horses and chariots from Egypt
for example, at a good price and sell them.
Matthew
4: 23 – 5: 12
Jesus
begins teaching in synagogues, telling the good news and healing. He goes to a
mount and blesses to the highest good: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the
meek, those who seek righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the
peacemakers, the persecuted and those reviled and persecuted on behalf of
Christ.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
Camellia Harrietville Vic L Osburn |
God of grace and provision you bless your faithful
people with the kingdom, comfort, righteous, mercy, purity of heart, inner
peace and knowledge that we belong to you. This wealth cannot be taken away. We
thank you and praise you for the material prosperity we have. Give us the grace
to remember it is all yours and share it to you glory and honour through Jesus
Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Tuesday 15 September 2015
Evening
Prayer
Psalm 37: 18 – 41
This portion of the psalm
continues with examples of God’s retribution for the wicked and protection and
salvation for the faithful and the meek: “though we stumble, we shall not fall
headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand” (v. 24).
Job 16: 18 – 17: 16
Job wants a witness for his
death – for the earth to not cover it over. His friends are not witnesses for
him and God is not being the umpire. He searches for a witness in the darkness.
He knows his time is up and
his dreams and spirit are broken. No one will invest in him and if they do, in
their minds, they risk being against God.
Job turns again and notices
that though his body and spirit are failing and broken, still in this darkness
is energy: is light. He becomes aware of the desires of his heart. Hope lives
in him.*
Ephesians 2: 1 – 10
Paul says we have all in the past followed the lead of
whims, breezes, desires and our internal anger. But God shows us mercy and
makes us alive again with Christ. By grace we have been saved and blessed. It
is by grace, not our own doing that we have been saved through faith.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Contemplation seat near a reflection pool The Abbey Benedictine Community Jamberoo NSW L Osburn |
Holy and loving God, you want the best for us as a
loving parent wants to pick up a fallen child. You gave to us your Son to be
our light, our hope and our redemption. Be with us this night as we give you
thanks and praise for all your blessings so that we may in the days to come inspire
others with your grace and mercy and love through Jesus Christ your Son our
Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.
* This summary is indebted to J Gerald
Janzen (1985). Interpretation: Job.
Atlanta: John Knox Press
Please leave a comment or
feedback.
2 comments:
Please be welcome to leave a comment.
Thanks for these reflections and prayers Lynelle. It is wonderful - grace. And it is wonderful that God is holding our hands as we journey through this complex and troubled life. I feel so humbled right now after reading this. God is amazing. Monica
Post a Comment