Monday 14 September 2015

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:

Unknown said...

Please be welcome to leave a comment.

Unknown said...

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