5 November 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 5 November 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 15 and 16

The first psalm lists the moral characteristics of people who are permitted in the temple. People who tell the truth, care for their neighbour and behave ethically.

The second psalm praises and blesses God and delights in the faithful. The psalmist commits to support people of faith and uses personal testimony of how God has enriched his life.

2 Kings 14: 1 – 16

In Israel King Joash (son of Joahaz of Israel) is reigning. In Judah King Amaziah (Son of Joash of Judah) is regining. Amaziah is 28 when his reign begins. He is faithful but like his father does not remove the high places where people are worshipping. He kills all involved in the murder of his father and does not harm their children. He overthrows Edom and kills ten thousand people. Then he challenges King Joash. Joash warns him off saying he should be content with Edom.

Amaziah does not listen. The two kings engage in battle and King Joash wins, captures Amaziah, breaks into Jerusalem and takes all the gold and vessels from the House of the Lord and the king’s house.

Some time later Joash dies and Jeroboam, his son becomes King.

Matthew 21: 33 – 46

Jesus tells the parable of the landowner who plants a vineyard and builds a watchtower. He leases the vineyard to tenants. At harvest he sends slaves to collect the produce and the tenants beat, stone or kill them. This happens more than once so the landowner sends his son. The tenants, greedy for the inheritance kill the son. Jesus asks what will the landowner do? The hearers respond that he will put the tenants to a miserable death and get new tenants who will give him the harvest.

Jesus then quotes a psalm about the stone that the builders rejected becoming the cornerstone.

Jesus explains that the kingdom of God will be taken away and given to people who do produce the fruits of the kingdom. The chief priests and Pharisees realise Jesus is talking about them and want to arrest him but fear the crowds.

Collect for Morning Prayer

In the vineyard
Gasped Vic L Osburn

Loving and generous God you enrich our lives and give us the ability to produce truth, care and justice. Today keep us from being caught in personal ambition or over-reaching. Help us to remember that all we have was always yours and always will be yours and to recall how much you gave for us so that we live and work this day with joy and thankfulness and praise through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Thursday 5 November 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 17: 1 – 13 (14) 15 - 16

The psalmist is a faithful and devout person who has been beset by wicked enemies. God’s protection and care is requested. God is asked to overthrow the wickedness. The psalmist wants relationships restored: him with God, the people with God and with him.

Esther 7: 1 – 6

The King and Haman join Queen Esther in the second banquet. Again the King asks Esther what she would like and that he will be generous. Esther says that if she has his favour she wants to continue living and also wants her people to continue living.  She and her people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. She says that if they had been sold to be slaves she would not make this request but no enemy can compensate for this damage to the King.

The King wants to know who did this. Esther answers, “A foe and enemy this wicked Haman!”

Haman is terrified before the King and Queen.

Revelation 2: 8 – 11

John is instructed to write to the church in Smyrna and let them know these are the words of “the first and last who was dead and came to life” (v.8). Jesus knows their situation that although they are poor they have spiritual wealth. Jesus knows they are being slandered and some will be imprisoned. Jesus asks them to be faithful and consoles them with the promise of the crown of life.

Collect for Evening Prayer

King Parrot
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

God of mercy and grace you have sent you son to be our saviour and Lord. Be with us when we are confronted and confounded by enemies and challenges. Help us to remain calm, seek your guidance and peace and know that you have already acted on our behalf, even against death itself so that we may lift up our hearts and voices in praise and thanks to you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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