2 November 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 2 November 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 5 and 6

This first psalm asks for God to hear the prayers of the victim of harmful lies. God has no time for wickedness. The psalmist will go to the temple knowing that he too is not yet righteous and needs help to stay on the path. The psalmist takes the problem to God and does not retaliate. Instead he asks for all who take refuge in the Lord to experience joy and protection and exult and bless the Lord.

Debilitating and terrifying illness has struck the psalmist. It is shaking the psalmist’s faith. God is asked to lovingly respond. The psalmist stands against evil and proclaims the Lord’s swift response.

2 Kings 12: 9 – 21

Jehoiada uses a chest, cuts an opening in the top and the priests place in it all the temple taxes and donations. When it is full Jehoiada and the king’s secretary count it and distribute it directly to the carpenters, builders, masons and stone-cutters and for the purchase of timber etc. No vessels are made for the House of the Lord out of this money. The money is distributed fairly. All money for guilt and sin offerings stays with the priests.

King Hazael of Aram begins a campaign against Jerusalem. King Jehoash takes all the votive gifts he and previous Kings had dedicated to the House of the Lord and all the gold in its treasuries and sends it to King Hazael who withdraws from Jerusalem.

Matthew 21: 1 – 13

Jesus arrives at Bethphage on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem. He instructs the disciples to collect a donkey and foal. Mounted, he enters the city in the manner that fulfils the prophecy. A crowd gathers spreading their coats and palm branches on the road shouting, “Hosanna”. The city was in turmoil asking, “Who is this?”

Jesus goes to the temple and clears it of corrupt moneychangers and sellers of sacrificial doves. The temple is to be a house of prayer not a den of robbers.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Glass window
St Saviours Anglican Church
Gladstone Qld L Osburn

 Holy Lord you know each one of us. You know our innermost concerns. Through scripture we are aware that all of us – even those in charge of the temple need processes and systems for accountability and to ensure fairness. You also show us that there are times we must sacrifice things we value for a greater purpose. This week guide us and help us to be accountable, fair and focused on your purpose so that we bring honour to you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Monday 2 November 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 7 and 8

In the first psalm, someone who was an ally has been harmed and the blame is being focused on the psalmist. The psalmist seeks God’s protection, calls on God to search him out and judge. The psalmist is also aware that the snares the wicked set can turn against them. The psalmist is confident in a right relationship with God and is willing to repent. The psalmist promises to praise God when rescued.

God’s majesty is praised. Every human sound is praise to God. And the psalmist marvels at that. How is it that humans have such a special place when we consider the expanse of the heavens? The psalm ends in awe, wonder and praise.

Esther 4

Mordechai tears his clothes and sits in sackcloth and ashes at the gate. Esther hears and offers new clothes for him. He does not accept them.

Esther sends a eunuch to Mordechai who tells him the exact sum of money Haman gave as a bribe, a copy of the written decree from Susa and requests that Esther approach the King. Esther gets a message back that no one goes to the King’s presence unless summoned or they die. She has not been called for 30 days. Mordechai replies to Esther saying she is not to think she is safe in the palace. If she does nothing she is to know that relief and deliverance will come from somewhere else and then she and the future of her father’s line will vanish. Perhaps, he says, she is in the position she is to be part of the deliverance.

Esther instructs Mordechai to tell the Jews in Susa to hold a fast for three days. She and her maids will fast too. Then she will go to the King even though it is unlawful and she might die.

Revelation 1: 1 – 8

John begins by explaining that this is a revelation of Christ given to John by an angel. He blesses those who read the book aloud and those who hear. He greets the churches and sends them the grace and peace of Christ and of seven spirits before Christ’s throne.

He praises God and proclaims that when Jesus comes on clouds, that every eye will see Him, that all will wail and, God will say “I am the Alpha and the Omega… who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (v. 8).

Collect for Evening Prayer

Sunset over the desert
Silverton NSW
L Osburn

Holy Lord you are the one who is and was and who is to come. You have risked everything for our salvation and kept us special in your sight. Help us, your faithful people, to be deeply connected to you even if it takes a fast and to be prepared to act and to risk so that we are part of your salvation bringing blessings, peace wonder and awe to this world you love through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

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