3 November 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 3 November 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 9

This psalm is a song of thanks and praise for the demise of past enemies and the eternal presence of God. The Lord is the security for oppressed people and that means individuals too. The psalmist moves to a prayer for individual help. The psalm ends asking God to “let the nations know that they are only human” (v.20).

                                                                       

2 Kings 13: 1 – 13

In King Joash of Judah’s 23^rd year King Jehoahaz begins to reign in Samaria (he reigns 17 years). Jehoahaz continues to sin. King Hazael and his son of Aram continually raid and oppress Israel. Jehoahaz prays and God listens and sends a saviour. The people live in peace as before. Jehoahaz is left with a remnant army. When he dies his son becomes King.

In King Joash’s of Judah’s 37^th year is when King Jehoash of Israel’s reign begins. He too continues the sins and when he dies is buried in Israel.

Matthew 21: 14 – 22

Jesus in the temple cures all who come to him. The children cry out “Hosanna to the Son of David”. The chief priests and scribes become angry and ask, “Do you hear what they are saying?” Jesus replies using scripture that out of the mouths of babes and infants praise has been prepared. He goes to Bethany for the night and in the morning is hungry, sees a fig tree that has no fruit and curses it where upon it withers and dies. The disciples are amazed and he says, that if they have faith and do not doubt they could tell a mountain to move to the sea and it will be done.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Mulberry Vale
Broken Hill NSW L Osburn

Wonderful God of saving grace you provide us with security, support and freedom. Even those who sin can call to you for aid and you listen and those too young to understand, you heal. Open our hearts and minds to you today so that we truly acknowledge and appreciate your sacrifice for our salvation and are motivated and empowered by faith to grow nurture and develop your love in this world through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Tuesday 3 November 2015 

Evening Prayer

Psalm 10

The psalm begins describing how arrogant wicked people are: how they think God does not see them and that they can get away with anything. But God does see. God will hear the meek and give them strength and provide justice for the orphan and oppressed so that people on earth will “strike terror no more” (v.18).

Esther 5

Esther dresses in her royal robes and stands in the inner court near the door of the King’s hall. He sees her and raises his sceptre for her to approach. He indicates she will get what she asks. She invites the King and Haman to a banquet she has prepared. The King eagerly accepts.

At the table the King again asks Esther what her petition is. She says that if she has found favour, both the King and Haman are again to come to a banquet the next day.

Haman leaves happily and as he passes the gate Mordechai does not bow. This infuriates him, but he goes home and tells his wife how especially honoured he has been even to being invited to dine with the King and Queen twice.

Yet, Mordechai does not bow. His wife and friends advise him to have a large gallows built, tell the King to have Mrdechai hanged then go to the banquet. He orders the gallows to be erected.

Revelation 1: 9 – 20

John tells how he was on Patmos as an exile for his beliefs and hears a voice, turns and sees a vision of seven lampstands, Christ holding seven stars in his right hand and with a two-edged sword coming from his mouth. The stars are the seven angels of the churches, the lampstands are the seven churches and the sword is the word of God. John is instructed to write down what he sees now and in the vision to come.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Outback church
Silverton NSW L Osburn

Holy and almighty God you see everything and everyone and know our hearts. You also have the great vision of what is to come. Be with us as we reflect on all the turmoil and hardship your people experience in this world and help us remember that through the actions of meek injustice and oppression have been overcome through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

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