23 December 2015
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Wednesday 23
December 2015
Morning
Prayer
Psalms
124, 125 and 126
If it
had not been for the Lord the enemy forces would have attacked and overwhelmed
us like a flood. Blessed be the Lord. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Those
who trust in God shall never be moved. God will surround and support us. The
psalmist prays for blessing on the faithful and that evil be kept away from us.
When
we are restored we are full of joy and praise and others notice that our God
has done great things for us. So we ask to be restored, that those in tears
reap joy and those who weep and sow seeds come back with an abundant harvest.
Isaiah
26: 1 – 19
On the day of victory over
the enemy the people will sing. The city gates will be open so that the
righteous may enter. We are to trust in God, our everlasting rock. The way of
the righteous is a level path and we yearn, seek and wait for God. God will ordain peace. As a result of the
victory the kingdom is bigger than before. Though the people might think they
are dead and in the dust they are like the radiant dew bringing new life.
Mark 13: 14 – 37
Jesus
talks of a time to come, as prophesised by Daniel when something abominable
will be erected on the temple. At that point the people need to flee. Jesus
considers how hard it will be especially for pregnant women to get away. There
will be unparalleled distress. But the time will be cut short. There will be
false messiahs and false prophets who rise.
The
real end will still be to come: when the sun and moon fail and the Son of Man
comes in power and glory.
We are
to learn from the fig tree. We can tell by looking that summer approaches.
Equally we will be able to tell when the end approaches.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
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| A pair of crimson rosellas The Abbey Benedictine Community Jamberoo NSW L Osburn |
Wednesday 23
December 2015
Evening
Prayer
Psalms
127, 128 and 129
Unless
the Lord is with us in what we do, our labour is in vain. Rising early, working
late and being anxious about things are not part of God’s plan.
Those
who walk with God are blessed to have the freedom to eat our own produce,
prosperity sufficient for women to be creative and children to flourish. It is
a blessing to see our grandchildren.
God
has preserved us from all assaults in the past. The psalmist asks that those
who are enemies of God not prevail.
Isaiah
52: 13– 53: 12
This is the fourth servant
song. The servant shall be exalted. Though marred in appearance he will startle
many nations. Kings with be silenced and see and hear things they have not been
told. We have been told this but who believed it? This servant grew like a
plant in a dry zone, nothing remarkable about him. He was rejected and
despised. Yet he has borne our infirmities and diseases. We thought God had
struck him down but instead he was wounded for us and for our sins. Our
punishment and our bruises were put on him so we can be whole and healed.
“All we like sheep have
gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all” (v. 6).
Though oppressed and
afflicted he says nothing. Like a lamb he is led to the slaughter. He keeps
silent. Justice is perverted and he is taken away, killed, buried with the
wicked and entombed with the rich. His life is a sin offering. Out of the
anguish will come light and many will be made righteous. He will be made great
for he poured himself out for many, counted as a sinner yet he bore the sins of
many and made intercession for us all.
Revelation 22: 6 – 13
John reiterates that this is his
vision and it is true. He reminds us that angel told him to worship God. He is
told to let people hear this vision and to allow people to be as they are:
doing wrong, being vile, doing right, continuing to do right, and for the holy
they are to continue being holy.
John gives God’s true word that
God is coming and will give to everyone according to what he or she has done.
God is the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, the Beginning and the End.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
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| The Yacht Fremantle Harbour WA L Osburn |
Holy and almighty God we can do nothing of value
without you. We know who Christ is and what Christ has done for us. We
therefore commit ourselves and our lives to you strengthening our resolve to do
right and to continue to be holy through the repentance and the redemption won
by Christ so that our lives are a blessing to all and bring glory to you through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our
hearts. Amen.
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