15 December 2015
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Tuesday 15 December
2015
Morning
Prayer
Psalm
104: 1 – 25
Great
hymn to the creator: clouds, sea, mountains, water, grass, and creatures, wine
… the list goes on. In wisdom God has
made it all.
Isaiah
13: 1 – 13
Isaiah
foretells the total destruction of Babylon. Only a few people will remain. The
destruction is caused by sin and offences against God.
Mark 9: 33 - 50
The
disciples argue about who is the greatest. Jesus tells then that the one who
would be greatest is the one who serves all. He brings a child before them
saying that welcoming a child in Christ’s name is welcoming Christ and
welcoming God.
John
reports seeing a man who is not a disciple, cast out demons in Christ’s name.
Christ says to leave him be since if he is identifying with Christ he is not
going to turn on him. If people do things in the name of Christ there is merit
in that.
These
people need nurturing like children and not to have blocks put in their way. We
are to discard those parts of ourselves that would block them – even if it were
our hand or foot or eye. We will all be salted with the Holy Spirit and that
needs to be kept alive – full of flavour like the saltiness of salt.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
High country cottage Porepunkah Vic L Osburn |
Holy and everlasting God in your wisdom you created us. You teach us to
be gentle, humble and supportive especially for those new to faith. Help us
keep being true to you and gentle to all even though great cities and nations
fall and there are cataclysmic changes in the earth, so that we keep your Holy
Spirit alive in ourselves and nurture it in others through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.
Tuesday 15 December
2015
Evening
Prayer
Psalm 104:
26 – 37
This part
of the psalm reinforces that all things natural and man-made rely on the mercy
of God for their existence and sustenance. The psalmist prays that the earth be
returned to its sin free state. Bless the Lord.
Isaiah
13: 14 – 14: 2
Those
who flee Babylon will be safer than those who stay. There will be no compassion
even for babies.
Israel
will be restored eventually in Jerusalem and those who have oppressed her will
find themselves ruled by the ones who they oppressed.
Revelation 16
The angels with the bowls of wrath
are ordered to pour them out. In order the plagues are: foul and painful sores
for those who worship the beast, the sea turns red and all things in it die,
rivers and springs turn red, the sun scorches all with fierce heat, the kingdom
of the beast is thrown into darkness, the Euphrates River dries up and three
frogs come out – one for the dragon, one from the beast and one from the mouth
of the false prophet. Finally these three demonic spirits go to the leaders of
the world, performing signs and stir them to join in a battle. The last angel
pours out the bowl and the there are earthquakes, stones falling from the sky
and the earth levelled. It is done.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Old pier: New rope swing Eucla WA L Osburn |
Holy and
merciful God all things and people rely on you to exist and to be sustained.
Help us every day to keep our focus on you not on beasts or catastrophes or
fears, so that we are always ready to assist others, support and nurture your
spirit in them and maximise the love and care we have in our daily lives through
Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
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