16 October 2105

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 16 October 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 105: 1 – 22

The psalm praises God’s faithfulness. It praises creation and God’s love. This portion recalls the early story of Abraham through to Joseph being placed in charge of Pharaoh’s household.

2 Kings 4: 18 – 37

The son of the woman from Shunem complains of a headache and is sent back from the field to his mother. He collapses, dies and she lays him on the bed made for Elisha. She then calls to her husband to prepare a donkey so she can go to Elisha. She does not tell him the boy has died. She goes as quickly as possible. Elisha sees her coming and sends his servant to meet her. She tells the servant nothing and on arrival begs Elisha to come. He instructs his servant to go without speaking to anyone and lay Elisha’s staff on the boy. The woman insists Elisha comes. The laying on of the staff does not work. Elisha ushers everyone out, prays and lies on the boy, breathes in him and puts his hands on the boy’s hands. The boy begins to warm and revives. The boy sneezes 7 times. The mother takes her son.

Matthew 14: 1 – 21

News of Jesus comes to Herod Antipas after the death of John the Baptist. He says to his servants that Jesus must be John the Baptist resurrected. We are reminded of the circumstances of John’s death – beheaded – by the request of Salome his niece (on the advice of her mother Herodias). When Jesus hears of John’s death he takes himself to a deserted place by boat. The crowds follow by foot and when he comes ashore he puts aside his grief and cures the sick.

The disciples, later in the day tell Jesus to send the crowds away since it is nearly dark and there is no food. Jesus replies that they need not go and the disciples should feed them. All the disciples have is 5 loves and 2 fish. Jesus blesses the food breaks it and instructs that it be shared. 5000 men with women and children are fed and 12 baskets of food remain.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Looking into the canopy
Red Tingle Trees Walpole WA
L Osburn

Great Lord of the universe we praise you and thank you for your overwhelming generosity and provision throughout the ages. We thank you for the way out of famine, death and hunger. Make us grateful today for all you have done for us so that we with light and open hearts may praise you and easily find the words to spread the message of your love through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Friday 16 October 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 105: 23 – 45

The psalm continues to praise God’s faithfulness to the covenant and tells the story of the famine, Israel going to Egypt, the Exodus and the arrival in the Promised Land. Praise the Lord.

Job 37: 5 – 24

Elihu continues talking about the greatness and awesome splendour of God. He ends this section talking about God’s power, justice and abundant righteousness. We therefore should fear God and not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.

1 Peter 2: 11 – 17

Peter urges the Christians to abstain from the things that wage war against the soul and conduct themselves honourably so that even if they are maligned their actions will be above reproach when God does the judging. Peter says that we are to accept the rule in the countries we are in and as servants of God live as free people but don’t use that as a pretext for evil. Honour everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honour the ruler.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Early evening
Rutherglen Vic L Osburn

O Lord, how great is the beauty of your creation and your overwhelming generosity to us! Help us each day to hold you in awe and reverence and to love and respect those around us doing what is good and peaceful so that we are witnesses to you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

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