23 October 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 23 October 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 124, 125 and 126

If it had not been for the Lord the enemy forces would have attacked and overwhelmed us like a flood. Blessed be the Lord. Our help is in the name of the Lord.

Those who trust in God shall never be moved. God will surround and support us. The psalmist prays for blessing on the faithful and that evil be kept away from us.

When we are restored we are full of joy and praise and others notice that our God has done great things for us. So we ask to be restored, that those in tears reap joy and those who weep and sow seeds come back with an abundant harvest.

2 Kings 8: 1– 15

Elisha tells the woman whose child he saved to leave with her family since there will be a famine for seven years. She does. On her return she appeals to the King for her land to be restored. As it happens, the King is talking with Gehazi, Elisha’s dismissed servant at the time and Gehazi identifies the woman. The King fully restores her property to her and all income accrued in her absence.

Elisha goes to Damascus where the King of Aram is unwell. He sends Hazael to Elisha with gifts to ask will he recover. Elisha responds that he will recover and he will die. Elisha stares at Hazael who feels shame, then Elisha weeps.

Hazael asks why Elisha weeps he answers it is for all the harm Hazael will do to the people of Israel – great violence and destruction. Hazael asks who is he, “a mere dog” that he should do this? Elisha says that the Lord has shown him Hazael is to be King of Syria.

Hazael returns to the King Ben-hadad and tells him that he will recover but the next day he murders the King in his bed and succeeds him.

Matthew 17: 1 – 13

Jesus, Peter, James and John go up a high mountain. Jesus is transfigured before them and is accompanied by Moses and Elijah who talk with him. Peter offers to make booths so that they can stay. He is interrupted by a bright cloud and a voice saying, “This is my Son, the beloved; with him I am well pleased: listen to him!” (v.5). The disciples fall, overcome with fear. Jesus comes, touches them telling them to get up and to not be afraid. They are now alone. As they come down Jesus tells them to say nothing of the vision until after he is raised from the dead. They query him about why the scriptures say, “Elijah must comes first” (v.10). Jesus tells them that John the Baptist was Elijah.

Collect for Morning Prayer

The empty lake
Lake Mulwala NSW L Osburn

God of greatness, you encourage us not to fear and teach us that restoration is possible through Jesus your Son our Lord. In circumstances of evil, destruction and want keep us safe. Help us respond to Christ, to get up, to have courage and to listen to his words so that we may respond to opportunities to serve you and experience your redemption and your restoration through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Friday 23 October 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 127, 128 and 129

Unless the Lord is with us in what we do our labour is in vain. Rising early, working late and being anxious about things are not part of God’s plan.

Those who walk with God are blessed to have the freedom to eat our own produce, prosperity sufficient for women to be creative and children to flourish. It is a blessing to see our grandchildren.

God has preserved us from all assaults in the past. The psalmist asks that those who are enemies of God not prevail.

Job 40: 15 – 41: 11

God asks Job about the Behemoth and the Leviathan both great monsters of land and the deeps. God says he made them as he made Job. God also asks who can capture and play with the Leviathan – who under the whole of heaven?

1 Peter 4: 12 – 19

Peter encourages the faithful not to be surprised by the hardships they suffer on account of being Christian. Those who are reviled for Christ are blessed. This is preferable to being reviled for a real crime or trouble making. At the judgement it will begin with those in God’s house – with us. So, if we the faithful are concerned how much worse will it be for those who sin or who say there is no God?

Peter charges us to entrust ourselves to our faithful creator and continue to do good.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Moon on the full lake
Lake Mulwala NSW L Osburn

Merciful and gracious God we thank you for all your gifts to us and your deep and abiding care. Preserve us in times of hardship and strengthen us to take the slow, tough path of listening, caring and peace so that we demonstrate our faith in you by not reacting in anxious ways but entrusting ourselves, our lives and our communities to you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

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