3 December 2015
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Thursday 3
December 2015
Morning
Prayer
Psalm
78: 16 - 38
This
portion of the psalm recounts the complaints against God when the Israelites
were in the desert with Moses. Water was produced from rocks, food fell from
heaven, both bread and birds. They had little faith and yet when they repented,
God forgave.
Isaiah
41: 17 – 29
Isaiah
puts God’s case that the poor, the parched, the desolate will be given water
and the earth reshaped – trees will grow where there was wilderness. God
challenges the other gods to show their capacity and sees there is nothing:
they are nothing. God will raise up someone from the north and conquer the land
and free it but there is no one in Jerusalem to receive this news – no one to
hear and pass it on.
Mark 5:
21 – 43
Again
the crowd gathers. A leader of the synagogue, Jarius approaches. Jarius’
daughter is sick he asks Jesus to some and lay his hands on her. On the way a
woman with faith who had been haemorrhaging for 12 years touches his garment.
Jesus notices that individual touch, stops, asks who did it and receives the
woman, calling her daughter and stating that her faith has made her well.
Meanwhile,
news comes that Jarius’ daughter is dead. Jesus says to Jarius “Do not fear,
only believe” (v. 36). On arrival at the house the mourners are present and
wailing. Jesus sends them out saying that the girl is sleeping. He ushers the
parents and a small group of disciples into the room, takes the girl’s hand and
gently tells her to get up. She gets up, walks around. Jesus tells them to feed
her.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
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| In all we do Gladstone Qld L Osburn |
Thursday 3 December 2015
Evening
Prayer
Psalm
78: 39 - 70
The
psalmist shows how short the memories of humans are and how fickle. The Israelites in the desert did not
remember or take into account the miracles of God that enabled their freedom.
They had little faith. God held on and made decisions about the future of the
people and who would lead them, for example choosing the line of Judah rather
than the line of Joseph: choosing David and Mt Zion. Whether humans are
faithful or not, God still guides them.
Isaiah
3: 13 – 4: 6
The
Lord will judge the elders and princes who have taken what belongs to the poor
and crushed them. The women of Jerusalem will lose everything, their pride,
belongings, beauty and honour. So many men will die in battle that seven women
will seek marriage by the same man. They will not claim sustenance from him but
provide for themselves: at least they are married.
The
righteous will remain and prosper once the city has been cleaned. Then God will
establish a protective canopy over Mount Zion and its places of assembly.
1 Thessalonians 3
Paul persecuted, knows he cannot
leave Athens so sends Timothy to the Thessalonians to check how they are
bearing up under the persecution. Everyone knew persecutions would occur.
Timothy’s report is good news of the Thessalonians’ faith and love. This report
gives Paul immense encouragement and hope that he will get to see them again.
He blesses them.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
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| Waterfall Gladstone Qld L Osburn |
Holy and steadfast God even when we turn
aside you guide us and when we are faithful you protect, encourage and bless
us. In our world where there is little memory of your great deeds of saving
grace and freeing people from oppression help us hold on. Give us the will and
calm to stay faithful and continue as your righteous people under your canopy
of love through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy
Spirit in our hearts. Amen.
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