10  November 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 10 November 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 25

This psalm is a plea for protection from personal enemies. The psalmist asks for guidance and forgiveness and to be taught God’s way and truth. God is asked to guard our lives, deliver us, allow us to have refuge and for our integrity and righteousness to preserve us.

2 Kings 16

King Ahaz, son of Jotham of Judah begins to reign in Jerusalem. He worships in the style of Israel and even revives live sacrifices. He has is son burned.

King Rezin of Aram begins a war against Judah and Edom rises again and retakes Elath. King Ahaz sends silver and gold from the treasury of the temple and the King’s house to the King of Assyria saying he is being attacked and needs aid. The King of Assyria overtakes Syria and King Rezin is killed.

King Ahaz goes to Syria to visit the King of Assyria. While he is there he sees an altar and ensures one of the same design is built in the temple in Jerusalem. He has the original bronze altar moved only for his use to inquire by.

He has other structural changes done to the items in the temple and the building itself.

Matthew 23: 1 – 15

Jesus tells the crowd that the scribes and Pharisees know their Mosaic Law and have their position because of it. The people are to listen to them and learn but not follow all the minute interpretations that tie up people in knots. Instead the people are to listen and pray and take their instruction from the Messiah. Jesus laments the scribes and Pharisees whose behaviour effectively does the opposite of their intentions – it harms widows instead of caring for them and blocks from kingdom of heaven the Pharisees and those who follow them.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Sunrise on Lake Mulwala
NSW L Osburn

Gracious God of truth and light you have sent us your Son so that we are not only saved but are also guided to learn, to seek the truth to care for each other and to be members of your eternal kingdom. Keep us safe when our leaders go awry and our teachers are misled so that we, focusing on your word and truth, may live lives of love, peace, care and respect through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Tuesday 10 November 2015 

Evening Prayer

Psalm 27

“The Lord is my light and salvation: whom shall I fear?”  The psalmist seeks God’s face, God’s teaching and God’s level path and ends with, “Wait for the Lord: be strong and let your heart take courage: wait for the Lord.”

Esther 9: 20 – 10: 3

Mordechai writes to all the Jews in the 127 provinces saying they have cause to celebrate. Haman had plotted against the Jews and cast “Pur” that is the lot to destroy them. Esther came before the king, revealed she was Jewish and this results in the destruction of Haman and his whole household. The lots “Purim” fell on him. Because of this event and the promulgation of the news by Queen Esther and Mordechai to all the people two days’ celebration occurs every year. The command of Queen Esther cements Purim in the Jewish calendar*.

Revelation 3: 7 – 13

John is to write to the church in Philadelphia. Jesus knows they are small and faithful and struggling with a difficult synagogue. As a result of the Philadelphians’ patient endurance they will be protected in the trials to come. They are to hold fast to what they have and by doing so be conquerors, named for God and their city named for the new Jerusalem.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Sun set on Mulwala Canal
Lake Mulwala NSW L Osburn

God of light and salvation for you we wait in strength and courage. As you told the Philadelphians so too we keep patient endurance and ask your protection in the times to come. Help us to also be conquerors named for you and celebrate your great victory through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

* On Purim at some point the story of Esther is read or acted out and the children shake rattles each time the name of Haman is heard. Hamentaschen – small filled cakes in the shape of a tri-cornered hat are eaten. The story is told that Haman wore a hat like this. Hamentaschen is Yiddish for Haman’s pockets and these are pockets with filling. The celebration is great fun for children celebrating life and freedom. In the evening often a more somber remembrances of all who have died in pogroms and the Holocaust are conducted.