Tuesday 15 September 2015

16 September 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 


Wednesday 16 September 2015 
Morning Prayer

Psalm 38

The psalmist is dreadfully ill, so much so that friends stand a bit further away and people who seek harm spread rumours. The psalmist stays quiet, trusting God, praying and asking for God’s salvation.

1 Kings 11: 1 – 14 (15 – 22) 23 – 25

Solomon has many wives from different regions and countries who bring with them their own beliefs and practices. Solomon sets up altars for them and engages in the worship against the covenant with God. God appears to Solomon twice and commands him on these matters yet Solomon persists. The tearing apart of Solomon’s Kingdom is the consequence but God does not allow this to occur until after Solomon dies.

Meanwhile, foes develop from the Edomites wronged by Joab and from Rezon, originally a leader of a marauding band, who sets himself up in Damascus.

Matthew 5: 13 –26

Jesus says that we are the salt of the earth – we add flavour – but if we become bland we are useless. We are like a city on a hill and cannot be hidden – we are obvious to others. We are like lamps and there is no purpose hiding that lamp. People need to see our actions to have evidence to glorify God.

Jesus says that the Law remains and his teaching does not change it but fulfils it. We too by teaching and following the Law will fulfil it. Jesus takes the Law a step further so that we do not just fulfil the letter of the law but it’s spirit. Thinking about doing something bad is as wrong as actually doing it. We need to bring our thoughts in line with the Law not just our actions. We are to seek reconciliation with people before we seek reconciliation with God.


Collect for Morning Prayer

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
Where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet.
WA L Osburn
Holy and loving God, you know all the pressures on us to step away from you: pressures due to illness, pain and suffering, pressures from those we love and who love us and our own internal fears and anxieties about being obviously faithful believers. Help us to stand firm in quiet, trusting, resolve giving you thanks and praise for our salvation so that we, focusing first on you may obey your great commandments all our days through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.



Wednesday 16 September 2015
Evening Prayer

Psalm 39

The psalmist is mortally ill and perceives his illness to be punishment from God. He decides to be calm and quiet in the presence of people who would bring him more grief. He asks to know how much time he has left. Humans are like passing guests, aliens. The psalmist asks for a little relief so that he can smile before he dies.

Job 18

Bildad, Job’s friend now replies strongly to Job. He says for the world to not cover Job’s blood would upend the whole world order. Who does Job think he is?

What Job is saying – the words he puts together are like a snare for others leading them to destruction.

Those who do evil must be purged from the earth, their actions come to nothing and their offspring also fail. Their memory must be expunged. Others watch and are appalled at what happens to those who do evil.

Ephesians 2: 11 – 22

Paul says that through Christ we all belong to God and there is no more distinction between the circumcised and the uncircumcised. Christ was the sacrifice for us. Through his flesh he joined people from other nations to the Jewish people. We are all reconciled to God. Through Christ we are all joined together and become part of the holy temple, the dwelling place for God across the entire world.


Collect for Evening Prayer

New magnolias
Harrietville Vic L Osburn
Praise to you our loving God for the gift of Jesus who reconciles us to you. We are free from the agonies of carrying the burdens of our own sin. At the end of this day open our hearts to sing your praise and give thanks to you so that we join with those who love you and grow your temple on earth through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.





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