31 October 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 31 October 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 83: 1 – 8 (9 – 18)

This plea for protection from enemies comes at a time when Israel is under attack from all the neighbouring peoples. The enemies are enemies of God, making a covenant against God. Direct action from God is requested so that the enemies will come to know the reality and presence of God.

2 Kings 11: 17 – 12: 8

Jehoiada the priest makes a covenant between God and the people that they will be faithful. The people demolish the temple of Baal and kill the priest there. The king, Jehoash is escorted to the King’s House and begins to reign – aged 7. He is King for 40 years. He is faithful to God but does not take down the high place where people continue to make sacrifices.

Jehoash allows that the money brought in to the temple as donations and temple tax is to be given to the priests for the repair and maintenance of the building. But by the 23^rd years the priests have made no repairs. Jehoash summons Jehoiada and the others priests, questions them and tells them they no longer have access to that money nor are they responsible for the repair of the building.

Matthew 20: 17 – 34

Jesus tells the 12 disciples for the third time what will happen to him in Jerusalem: he will be handed over, mocked, flogged, crucified and then raised.

The mother of James and John lobbies Jesus for her sons to have prominent positions in his kingdom. He replies that she does not understand what she is asking. He asks them are they prepared to go through what he is about to go through and they say yes. Jesus then says their positioning is not his to grant – only God’s.

The rest of the disciples are angry about the lobbying. Jesus calms them contrasting the political structure of other nations with the arrangements to come. Those who would be leaders need to serve – be a slave to the rest – just as Jesus came to serve not to be served.

As they leave Jericho to Jerusalem two blind men call to him and when asks what they want say “Lord let our eyes be opened” (v.33). Jesus restores their sight and they follow Him.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Turkey
Eurobin Vic L Osburn

Holy and loving God you have a greater plan and picture for us all. Be with us as we struggle with real enemies to your faithful people, with the faults and failings in ourselves – our inadequacy, mismanagement, ambition, need for status and our inner blindness. Open our eyes and hearts to love, you, focus on you and serve each other so that we knowing your reality and presence may bring glory and honour to you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saturday 31 October 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 150

The last psalm is of joyful and exuberant praise – instruments, dancing. “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord” (v6).

Isaiah 40: 21 – 26

Isaiah asks do we not know, have we not heard from the beginning? God is the one who watches us and who spreads out the heavens and stars like a tent. Rulers come and go briefly. Who is like God? Check and see. Every star is there in its place. God’s strength is mighty and powerful.

Hebrews 11: 32 – 12: 2 

The writer here talks of people who were righteous, journeyed and/ or suffered for their faith. But, the writer pauses and says, “Yet all these... Did not receive what was promised...” What was promised was salvation. The ancients are not perfect, we are not perfect but we all need each other as part of the great cord of salvation made possible by Christ. We are part of that chain of salvation that links us, through all the faithful, back to Abel.

Since we have had all the examples of faithful people from the time of Abel, they are like a crowd cheering us on to persevere in our own race. We look to the finish line: to Jesus and to the joy that comes from his presence. The one who went through the shame of the cross and now sits at the right hand of the throne of God.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Path through the hills
From Eurobin Vic L Osburn

God of all ages you brought us the miracle and wonder of creation, the stars and everything there is and you guided your faithful people and brought their lives and stories to us through your holy word. May we be so motivated by these wondrous gifts that we again lift up our heads, sing your praises and continue, with light and fast steps in the race you have set before us to bring glory and honour to you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

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