20 November 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 20 November 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 48

This psalm praises Mt Zion City of God its walls and grandeur. Moreover, it is the place where God can be found and kings approaching fall and fail once they recognise God dwells here. In the temple the people ponder God’s steadfast love and praise God’s name throughout the earth. The psalmist tells us to come to the holy city, walk around; go into the citadels so that we can tell our children and their children that this God, our God will be our guide forever.

2 Kings 21: 19 – 22: 11

King Amon is 22 years old when his reign begins. He too serves idols and disregards God. Two years into his reign his servants kill him. In turn the people kill them. His son Josiah who is 8 years old begins to reign and does so for 31 years.

Josiah worships God. In the 18^th year of his reign he instructs his secretary to go to the temple and ensure that all the money collected is distributed to the workers and artisans repairing and maintaining the building. Hilkiah, the priest shows the secretary a book of the Law found in the temple. Hilkiah reads it to the secretary who in turn takes it to the king and reads it to him. When King Josiah hears the book of the Law he tears his clothes.

Mark 1: 1 – 13

The passage introduces John the Baptist who clothed in camel hair, baptises people who repent their sins. John baptises with water and says another, greater than he will come who will baptise with the Holy Spirit. Jesus is baptised by John and experiences a voice saying “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (v.11). Jesus then goes into the wilderness where he is tempted by Satan and cared for by angels.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Down to the river to pray
The Ovens River Alpine National Park
Vic  L Osburn

Holy Lord your temple and your presence cause all who have eyes to see to be humble and repent. Even Jesus offers himself for repentance receives your blessing and begins his trials in the wilderness. Give us eyes to see your presence, hearts to repent and minds to do your will so that we may be members of your holy city and faithfully tell your children your law, your love and your blessings through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Friday 20 November 2015 

Evening Prayer

Psalms 49

This is a riddle psalm / song.

Bow down everyone everywhere. Why should we worry about persecutors, the wealthy? No one can live forever. The wise and foolish die too. All possessions are left to others. Mortals can’t abide all the pomp of life – we will die. Those who are pleased with their lot will die. But God will ransom my soul and receive me.

Don’t be afraid when someone becomes richer and they are happy in their life. They and they ancestors will be gone. Mortals can’t abide all the pomp of life – we will die.

Ecclesiastes 6: 10 – 7: 13

Humans are not all powerful – we can’t dispute with stronger people and we can’t really know what is good since we don’t know the future. God has the advantage.

Here’s a comparison of things that are good with things we think are good. The things that are good are reputation and really appreciating that we all will die. Mourning does gladden our hearts. Focusing on fun and mirth is foolish.

When we are rebuked by someone wise that is better for us than foolish laughter.

But even wise people can be made foolish when they are oppressed. Bribery too corrupts the heart.

Being patient in spirit is better than being proud in spirit.

The end of something is better than its beginning. Being quick to anger lodges that anger inside us.

Wisdom is a great inheritance – it brings life.

Revelation 9: 13 - 21

In the vision, the sixth angel blows a trumpet. This releases four angels who have been waiting and whose task it is to kill one third of all humans. They have 200 million troops of cavalry. The manner of death is through plagues. But the rest of humanity does not give up their evil, idolatry, theft or fornication

Collect for Evening Prayer

Yellow iris
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Gracious Lord we thank you for the opportunity of life. Help us to remember that you paid the ransom for our lives and that your death brings us new life so that we are patient, have the right priorities and make the right decisions, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

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