30 November 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 30 November 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalm 72

This psalm asks that the King be blessed. Justice, righteousness, prosperity for the people and production, defence of the poor and deliverance for the needy and oppressed are requested. May the king live long and be gentle. Peace, dominion, abundance, compassion are all in this appeal. The psalm ends praising and Blessing God who makes all thing possible.

Isaiah 40: 1 – 17

God speaks the great words of comfort to Jerusalem. She has paid for her sins. Now she is to hear the voice crying in the wilderness, “prepare the way of the Lord” (v.3). The landscape will change. What was hard and rough before will be made smooth and easy. God’s glory will be revealed.

People are temporary but God’s word lasts forever. Every place is to rejoice – the Lord is coming. The Lord will care for us like a good shepherd cares for sheep. The Lord is great and almighty. No one direct or counsels or advises God. 

If we were properly to thank God through a burnt offering there would be not enough timber in the whole of Lebanon or enough animals – the earth is insignificantly small compared to our God.

Mark 4: 1 – 20

Jesus again preaches from a boat since the crowds are too great. He tells the parable of the sower and the seed which he later explains to the disciples. The sower sows seeds that are the word of God. Seed that falls on the path and is taken by birds is like Satan snatching the words immediately. The seed in rocky ground is the word received with joy but with little capacity to root, when trouble or persecution comes the plant fails. The seed sown among the thorns are those who hear the word but the demands of life, cares, legitimate concerns, lure of wealth and desire for other things come in and choke the word and it yields nothing. The seed sown on good soil are those who hear, accept, commit and will bear fruit, 30, 60 or 100 times as much as the start.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Between the rock and the hard place
Albany WA L Osburn

Holy God, powerful teacher compassionate Lord, trouble, persecution, wars, illness and poverty abound. So many of the people who hear your word are in field of rocks and paddocks of thorns and invasive weeds. Open our eyes and hearts so that we have compassion for those, whose circumstances mean it is hard to hear, accept and commit to you. Be with us as we pray for them since only you can change their landscape and weather through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Monday 30 November 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 73 

The psalmist begins saying how good God is and then confesses that he is about to lose his belief because of envy of the success, prosperity and apparent freedom from care the wicked possess. It bothers him daily and he is tempted to talk about it but decides it would lead others astray. So he goes into the sanctuary and prays. Through prayer he understands that what appears to be success and freedom is temporary – like a dream. The psalmist recognises his own failings and reaffirms the value of being with God, being guided by God and being valued by God. Even if flesh fails God is our strength, our refuge and we can, with that support tell of all God’s works. 

Isaiah 1: 18 – 31

Jerusalem and her inhabitants are sinning. God promises that if they willing to be obedient to God then all that dross will be washed away. If they continue rebelling they will be considered enemies and put to the sword. The righteous will be restored but the rebels and sinners destroyed. The strong will be the fuel for a spark that begins an unquenchable fire.

1 Thessalonians 1

Paul greets the church in Thessalonica. He recognises their chosen status since the gospel came to them by word and Holy Spirit. They became followers of Christ and examples for believers in Macedonia and Achaia. News of their faith has helped other communities of Christians for they know how the Thessalonians welcomed Paul and his fellows and turned from idols to worshipping the living God and wait for Jesus’ return.

Collect for Evening Prayer

In the sanctuary
St Paul's
Deniliquin NSW D Stevens

Holy and exciting Lord you can turn our lives into the fuel for an unquenchable fire of love for you. Help us every day to see the things we do in thought word and deed that mean we are going astray. Bring us back to you with humble and penitent hearts so that we may live out your word and live our lives in your spirit to be examples to others of your love and grace through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.