Tuesday 1 December 2015

2 December 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 


Wednesday 2 December 2015 
Morning Prayer

Psalm 77

The psalmist is deeply distressed, not sleeping at night, feels alienated from God and wonders whether God has gone. He decides to remember all the blessings of the past and the evidence of God’s enduring protection. He ceases moaning and instead gives thanks.

Isaiah 41: 1 – 16

Israel is told to be quiet and listen. Their strength will be restored. The great hero from the past will restore. The people are to take courage. “I have chosen you and not cast you off” (v.9). They are not to fear; this is their God. The people’s enemies will disappear. They are not to fear even though they are merely worms or insects in comparison. God will help them and they will rejoice and glory in the Lord.

Mark 5: 1 – 20

Jesus and the disciples come to the territory of the Gerasenes. A man who lives among the tombs, howls and self harms runs towards Jesus and bows down. Jesus tells the unclean spirit to come out. The man yells his recognition of Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus asks the spirit it’s name and it answers “Legion” for there are many unclean spirits in the man. The spirits beg not to be tormented, not to be sent out of this part of the country and to go into the swine. Jesus does that. The swine go into the sea and drown. The swineherds, who are afraid, report what they see. The people ask Jesus to leave especially when they see the demoniac sitting there calm and rational. The healed man begs to stay with Jesus. Jesus sends the man back to his friends and to tell them how much God has done for him. The man does this. He preaches throughout the group of ten cities in eastern Palestine called the Decapolis.



Collect for Morning Prayer


Gifts
Window St Saviour's Gladstone Qld L Osburn
 Wonderful Lord you restore us when we bring ourselves to you and ask for your help. In this time of turmoil and distress, when we feel as little and powerless as insects and worms help us to remember your blessings, your love and your sacrifice and bring ourselves to you with listening hearts so that we may declare your love in all we do and say through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.



Wednesday 2 December 2015
Evening Prayer

Psalm 78: 1 – 15

The psalmist encourages people to tell the stories of God and his relationship with the people to their children, in parables, the old sayings, the history, decrees and miracles so that they will not be stubborn or rebellious.

Isaiah 2: 19 – 3: 12

When the Lord comes in judgement people will want to hide in caves and rocks and throw their idols away. Jerusalem will be without the supplies to support the people – food, water and administration. Those who lack knowledge or experience will rule. The people will be oppressed and oppress each other. Civil society will break down. Jerusalem and Judah have gone against God and will fall. The leaders mislead and confuse the people.

1 Thessalonians 2: 13 - 20

Paul gives thanks that when the Thessalonians heard the gospel they recognised it as the word of God. They modelled themselves on the church in Judea and suffered from their local people in the same way the Judean church suffered from the Jews. Paul, who is prevented from returning to the Thessalonians, thinks of them often and is full of praise (glory and joy) at their faithfulness.


Collect for Evening Prayer

Camellias and magnolias
Harrietville Vic L Osburn
Holy Lord we give you thanks and praise for all your gifts of love and grace and for your faithful people everywhere. Help us in the days to come to keep telling the stories of our history and relationship with you and your wonderful deeds so that we are part of building communities of faithful people in the future who know your love, revere you and look to your coming again with joy and thanksgiving through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.



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