5 October 2015
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Monday 5 October
2015
Morning
Prayer
Psalms
82 and 84
The
first psalm sets a scene of God judging all the other Gods. They lack knowledge
or compassion. They will be destroyed. The psalmist petitions God alone to
judge the earth.
A day
living in the presence of God is better than anything imaginable. A journey to
God’s dwelling place is filled with refreshment: “they go from strength to
strength” (v. 7).
1 Kings 20: 1 – 25
King Ben-Hadad of Aram
raids Israel and makes demands of King Ahab. The demands escalate and the
people and prophets of Israel support Ahab. Battle is drawn and Ahab on advice
chooses 232 young governors and then a force of people who engage the Arameans
and defeat them.
The Aramean king escapes
and the prophet tells King Ahab to prepare for they will return in spring. The
Arameans restructure their command system and decide they will fight the
Israelites on a plain not in the hills.
Matthew
11: 1 – 11
Jesus
having instructed the disciples continues teaching in the cities. John the
Baptist who was in prison sends his disciples to Jesus to ask whether Jesus is
the Messiah. Jesus replies that they should tell John the words Jesus speaks
then consider his deeds. He blesses those who take no offence.
When
the disciples of John depart, Jesus asks the crowds, whom did they go to see in
the wilderness? Was he a political leader or a prophet? Is he the fulfilment of
the prophecy of the voice crying in the wilderness –“prepare the way”? John the
Baptist is one of the greats among humans and only one of the humble in heaven.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
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| Desert flowers Head of the Bight SA L Osburn |
Monday 5 October
2015
Evening
Prayer
Psalms
85 and 87
The
first psalm reminds us all of God’s forgiveness and historical evidence of
restoring people of faith. The psalmist asks for quiet to listen to God who
will speak peace to the faithful and give salvation. “Steadfast love and
faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other” (v.10).
The
second psalm is of praise for Zion, the mother city of believers everywhere. It
is the basis for the hymn “Glorious things of you are spoken, Zion city of our
God.”
Job 31: 5 – 23
Job lists of series of
possible offences, “If I have…” and cites possible punishments for these
transgressions. He is prepared for God’s judgement. He says he has never done
any of these things. In fact he has been generous and righteous and
compassionate because he fears God and knows that he could never face God’s
majesty.
Colossians 3: 1 – 11
Since we have been raised with Christ we need to seek
things that are above the material world. We are to put aside
self-gratification and wrath, anger, abuse and slander. We are to become our
new self and know that for all Christians, no matter our country or customs
Christ is our all and is in all of us.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
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| Sunset on gum leaves: gold Eucla WA L Osburn |
Lord God with you in Christ we find
your majesty, love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace. Help us your people
to seek the necessary quiet to listen to you and to humbly prepare for your
judgement knowing that you have won us salvation and our faith is our dwelling
place so that we can live apart from the clamour and noise of this world while
still living and loving in it all our days through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power
of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.
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