20 December 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Sunday 20 December 2015 

Morning Prayer   

Psalm 113

The psalm praises God especially for responding to those who are humble and poor and bringing them to sit with princes. There is no other god like this.

Matthew 1: 18 – 25

Mary, Jesus’s mother is engaged to Joseph but before they come together she is found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Joseph is righteous and does not want Mary to be stoned so he plans to dismiss her quietly. But an angel comes to him and tells him to not worry, call the child Jesus and that this baby will save his people from their sins.

This fulfils a prophecy. Joseph does as the angel instructs.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Lifting up
Armadale WA  L Osburn

 Oh God of miracles and wonders, you respond to the poor and humble and lift us out of trouble into places of delight, reverence and respect. Help us this day to look upon those we meet as you do – as precious so that we treat all people with respect and pass on your love, freedom, justice and righteousness through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Sunday 20 December 2015

Evening Prayer

Isaiah 66: 18 – 23

God will gather people of all nations. God will set a sign among the people and send those who survive to far-flung countries. The people will be brought to God’s holy mountain – just like the people currently bring grain offerings to the temple. Some of the ones who come will be made priests. The new heaven and new earth will endure and all humans will worship God.

Psalm 18: 27 – 38

David is ecstatic with what he can do with God’s help. God lights his lamp; God is his shield and his strength. He rejoices utterly in God, the only God: our God.

“This God – God’s way is perfect; the promise of the Lord proves true” (v.30).

David continues his great psalm of praise for deliverance from enemies and as the warrior king he had to be, describes his supremacy in the battle.

Revelation 20: 11 – 21: 5

All the dead congregate around the throne and the Book of Life is opened. Hell and death itself are thrown into the lake of fire, as are those whose names are not written in the Book of Life.

A new earth and new heaven appear. There is no sea but a holy city, a New Jerusalem. The voice says that now the dwelling place of God is with people. They will be God’s and God will be theirs forever. There will be no more tears, death, mourning, crying or pain. Everything is being made new.

Collect for Evening Prayer

New and fresh
Armadale WA   L Osburn

Oh God our light, our shield and our strength, you are the source and sustainer of all life. We praise you that we are yours and you are ours forever, new and fresh every day. Give us that deep appreciation that you know us in the most personal way. In you we are perfectly known so that we recognise and act as your people, your holy priesthood though our baptism and know that you have already delivered us from the great enemy through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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