10 October 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 10 October 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 92 and 93

In the first psalm God’s faithfulness and steadfast love is praised. On this occasion the King’s enemies have failed in some other place and are no more. Everything has been restored. The righteous people prosper.

In the second psalm God’s greatness is praised – more powerful than floods, more powerful than the seas. God’s commandments are sure and God lives in holiness.

2 Kings 1

King Ahaziah of Israel falls through a lattice and lays injured. He sends messengers to consult the Baal of Ekron whether he will recover. Elijah is visited by the angel of the Lord who tells him to go and meet the messengers and to ask them, “is it because there is no god in Israel that you travel to Ekron?” and to tell them Ahaziah will not leave his bed but will die.

The messengers return to Ahaziah who is surprised by their arrival. They tell the story of meeting the man. Ahaziah asks them to describe the man and he recognises from their answer this is Elijah.

He sends a captain with 50 troops to bring Elijah to him. Elijah is on a hill. The captain calls out, ‘O man of God, the king says come down.” Elijah replies that if he is a man of God let fire come down and consume the captain and the fifty troops. It does and they perish. This happens a second time. On the third occasion the captain begs Elijah to treat his life and the life of his troops as precious. The angel of the Lord tells Elijah to not be afraid and go with them. Elijah goes to the King and tells him that he will die. Sometime later the King dies and his brother Jehoram becomes King of Israel. (He is not to be confused with King Jehoram the son of Jehosophat in Judah).

Matthew 12: 38 – 50

The Pharisees and scribes ask for a sign from Jesus. As with the temptation in the wilderness Jesus doesn’t “do signs”. God works through Jesus. If Jesus controls the signs and miracles the Pharisees and scribes will focus on Him not on God – just like adultery. The sign they will see is the sign of Jonah being definitely lost for three days – Jonah in a whale – restored, Jesus dead and buried –resurrected. Both of these are only in the power and will of God. And the Pharisees and scribes are blind – they want God to fit their formularies. Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba’s eyes are more open.

Next Jesus talks about someone exorcised but who does not take the risk and commit – who does not fill up the inner self with God. The demons return with reinforcements. It is only through following Jesus, through doing the will of God that we become brothers and sisters of Christ and the demons cannot get a stronghold.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Free to surf the wind
Lake Mulwala NSW L Osburn

Holy God of power, love and mystery, you are the source of all wonder and freedom. Help us to focus on you alone and your gracious gifts of love so that we fill our hearts and souls with you, do your will and love you as our closest and most precious parent through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saturday 10 October 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 94

The psalmist calls people to remember that God does can and will act for the righteous. We are all reminded that nothing is hidden from God who formed all ears and all types of eyes. Will God not be able to see or hear what we are up to? The psalmist writes that disciplined believers are blessed, that the Lord is there for them and consoles. The Lord helps.

Job 34: 1 – 15

Elihu continues offering that God does not act unjustly. God does no wrong and if God were to take his spirit back from us and return it to his own breath, all flesh would perish. We would all turn to dust.

Philemon 15 – 25

Paul continues entreating Philemon to take back Onesimus as a beloved brother, not as a slave and Paul offers to pay anything that Onesimus might owe Philemon.  Paul indicates that he will visit and sends greetings from those imprisoned with him and fellow workers.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Fine magnolias
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Holy and adored God, you know us thoroughly and always act with justice and righteousness. We thank you that you gave your own Son to buy us back from slavery to sin and to free us to be your children. Be with us as we consider how blessed you have made us so that we feel your deep consolation and are energised to pass that on to others in the days to come through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

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