14 November 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 14 November 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 34

This is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise and one that teaches people to love and fear the Lord, to avoid evil and to seek peace. The psalmist teaches, “the Lord redeems the life of his servants” (v. 22).

2 Kings 18: 17 – 37

Three officials of the Assyrian king meet with three representative of Jerusalem outside the city. The Assyrians ask where is the base for Hezekiah’s confidence in repelling the Assyrian army? Words are not enough and on whom is Jerusalem relying – it can’t be Egypt. And if it is on the Lord they rely, Hezekiah has removed all the high places and made the people worship only in Jerusalem. They offer to give Jerusalem 2000 horses if they have the riders. Jerusalem has no substantial force. Jerusalem will not be able to repel even one captain of the Assyrians and his troops. The Assyrians argue that they have God with them, which is why they have successfully conquered Israel.

The representatives of Jerusalem ask the Assyrians to speak in Aramaic since they all speak it and the people on the wall are listening. The Assyrians say they have come to talk with the King not with the people who are doomed. They call out loudly the rest of the message so all can hear. Don’t be deceived by Hezekiah he will not be able to deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrians. Don’t let Hezekiah require you to rely on the Lord. Instead make peace with the King of Assyria. Has any other nation’s god been able to resist Assyria? Who is the Lord of Jerusalem among the gods that the Lord can deliver Jerusalem?

The people stay silent for the King had commanded, “Do not answer him”. The representatives come back to King Hezekiah with their clothes torn and report.

Matthew 24: 15 – 31

When the disciples and people see the desecrating sacrilege in the holy place they had best flee – taking nothing. It will be a dreadful time. Pregnant and nursing women will have the worst of it. The suffering will be greater than anything seen until now. But it will be cut short else all the elect would perish. At that time we are not to follow false Messiahs in the desert or the cities. The sun will be darkened, the moon give no light, stars will fall from heaven and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear. People will mourn. Angels will sound a loud trumpet and the elect will be collected.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Rhododendron
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

 Holy and all-powerful Lord, you are the one who redeems the lives of those who are your servants. Remind us today that this is who you have always been, who you are and who you will be: our redeemer, our lover and our friend, so that we give you thanks and praise, teach others to love and serve you, to avoid evil and to seek peace through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saturday 14 November 2015 

Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 17 – 40

In this section of the psalm is the plea to be taught and to be shown how to live out the commandments daily: how to read and understand scripture. There is a plea for protection against ridicule or harm by others because of our desire to be with and know God.

Ecclesiastes 2: 24 – 3: 9

Humans like to eat and drink and find pleasure in what they do. This is God’s gift. If we do God’s will this is our reward and if we don’t we toil and others benefit.

There is a season for everything and a time for everything: being born and dying, sowing and reaping, fighting and healing, love and hate… and war and peace.

Revelation 6: 1 - 11

The Lamb opens the first five seals. Seal one is a white horse symbolising irresistible conquering power. The second is red symbolising war and bloodshed. The third is red symbolising the famine that follows war. The fourth is pestilence and death but not total destruction of the earth. The fifth is the prayers of all those martyred for the sake of Christ. The martyrs ask how long? They are given pure white robes to wear and are told that more will be martyred before this is over.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Galah
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Holy and almighty God when we seek you and learn to do your will, you share with us joy, knowledge, wisdom and full lives. Be with us now as we reflect on our day and make commitments for tomorrow, to seek you more dearly, follow you more nearly and be truly ourselves so that we may have authentic lives lived in your presence through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

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