1 December 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 1 December 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 74

This psalm is one of community lament. Enemies have come and destroyed the city, the temple and everything that gives identity to the people. An appeal is made to God using stories of creation and provision for the people. The enemy ridicules and the soul of the people is at risk of being destroyed. The psalmist asks to Lord to rise up for the people’s sake.

Isaiah 40:18 – 31

Isaiah challenges the reader to consider how we can understand God - to what can we compare Him? He answers - God is incomparable. He ends with the great promise for the faithful to rise up like eagles, run without weariness and walk without fainting.

Mark 4: 21 – 41

Jesus continues explaining parables and using more to teach. Lights, like explanations, are to be used and shared not hidden. There is a challenge to all to use what we have - all our abilities. He compares the kingdom of God to growing and harvesting seed - that we humans do not know how it grows we just harvest and that from small beginnings - the mustard seed - a substantial plant emerges that has great purpose.

They cross to the other side of the lake by boat. Jesus sleeps. A great windstorm rises. His companions fear for their lives and wake Jesus. He calms the sea and wind and asks, do they still have so little faith? They wonder who is this that even the sea and wind obey him.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Against the waves
Great Australian Bight SA
L Osburn

Almighty God, in your mercy you provide us with what we need, even in times of tempest and destruction. May we not only live the life you want for us, to step out in faith knowing your eternal love for us and call on you to assist us to explain and teach others about your love though the strength of your Spirit and grace of your son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tuesday 1 December 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 75 and 76

The first psalm begins with praise and moves on to describe God as judge: putting down the boastful wicked and lifting up the righteous.

In second psalm God is portrayed as a mighty warrior who protects the poor and oppressed against foes, even armies of nations. When human wrath results in a response from God then it brings us all to thanks and praise to God.

Isaiah 2: [1-5] 6 – 18

In the days to come there will be great reverence for God. God will judge and arbitrate for many peoples. Weapons will be turned be used for food production. There will be no more wars.

Isaiah explains idolatry: when people make or achieve things with their own hands - by their own efforts and then worship it. Everything magnificent is nothing compared to God whether in the natural earth or man-made; all are fragile. Worshipping anything but God is an illusion.

1 Thessalonians 2: 1 – 12

Here is Paul saying how to work – not for our own aggrandisement or for the praise of others. We do not rest on our laurels but make sure we pay our own way and are not a burden on the people. Our work, witness, encouragement and preparedness to be persecuted are for God – not to value anything or anyone else.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Wall
New Norcia Benedictine Community
WA  L Osburn

Holy Lord, you are our only and almighty God. You have given us the capacity to think, to be skilled in our actions, to produce, to build and to enable. Keep us focused and connected to you so that what we do and say is for you and does not become an end in itself. Remind us always to be like Jesus and demonstrate humility, so that we may build a future where your peace reigns through Jesus Christ our Lord and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

 

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