12 October 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 12 October 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 99 and 100

Songs of praise to God who rules, is awesome, loves justice and fairness and will stand by us. We are to come, be joyful, sing, be thankful, know we are loved and will be loved forever.

2 Kings 2: 1 – 15

On Elijah’s last day he goes to various towns and as he starts to the next he tells Elisha to wait. Elisha insists he will accompany Elijah. Prophets in each town tell Elisha that Elijah will be taken to heaven this day and he acknowledges that and stays with Elijah.

They come to the Jordan River. Elijah takes off his mantle, rolls it, strikes the water, it parts and the two cross over. Elisha asks for a double share of Elijah’s spirit. He will know it is granted if he sees Elijah’s ascension. He does. He mourns and returns with Elijah’s mantle through the Jordan as before. The prophets who were watching bow before him.

Matthew 13: 1 – 17

Jesus by the lake has to get into a boat since the crowd is so great. He tells the parable of the sower: seeds fall on a path and are eaten by birds, those on rocky ground spring up quickly but without root depth wither in the heat, those growing in thorns are choked, those in good soil produce an unbelievably huge crop – 100 fold, or 60 fold or 30 fold.

The disciples ask why Jesus teaches in parables. The people don’t understand, they cannot, they cannot properly hear but the disciples will be able to hear, understand and teach because of these parables. They will remember the stories and hence the lessons.

Collect for Morning Prayer

The road through the mountain
Mt Hotham Vic L Osburn

 Holy Lord you love us and have a plan for each of us in ministry for you in our lives. Help us to daily come to you, stay with you wherever the journey goes, even when it seems to double-back. Help us to listen, to hear, to question and to understand so that we might be part of your succession plan for prophets and teachers through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Monday 12 October 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 103

A beautiful psalm of praise blessing God with every part of our being and for every benefit we have been given especially God's eternal love. This is a luscious reverent, adoring psalm.

Job 34: 16 – 37

Elihu continues describing God as just and all knowing. God realises we are all dust. God acts against kings and rulers and sees everything. When God is quiet or we cannot perceive God’s face that is so the godless cannot reign.

When God punishes people, few ask to be taught what they cannot see and few promise to sin no more. Here though is Job rejecting the possibility that he has done something wrong. This action itself is rebellion against God in the here and now.

1 Peter 1: 1 – 9

A letter from Peter to the Christians in Asia Minor begins with a blessing for them and for God who has provided not only new birth to all through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection but also an imperishable inheritance with God.

Peter praises the people for their faith in Christ even though they have never seen Him and reminds them of the protection they have from God through their faith. The genuineness of their faith is precious, more precious than gold. And the outcome of faith is salvation of their souls.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Bolts in the old pier at Eucla
WA L Osburn 

Holy and loving God you give us new birth, forgiveness, healing, redemption and salvation of our souls. You enable us to have faith which is more precious than gold. We acknowledge that we are frail and finite, easily confused when bad things happen and we perceive it as punishment. We ask you to teach us Lord so that we understand your blessings and grow in faith especially in times of challenge and trial through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

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