4 December 2015
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Friday 4
December 2015
Morning
Prayer
Psalm
80
This
psalm is a prayer for deliverance from national enemies. It compares Israel to
a vine. It asks for God’s hand to be on the one at God’s right hand, to give us
life, to restore us and to save us.
Isaiah
42: 1 – 17
This
section of Isaiah is called the first Servant Song. God chooses the servant.
God’s spirit is in the servant. The servant won’t be a celebrity, nor will the
servant break someone who is bruised or quench the spirit of someone whose
flame is dim. The servant will steadily bring forth justice and won’t cease
until it occurs. The Lord chooses the servant as a covenant to all people: to
be the light of the nations, open the eyes of the blind and free people from
the prison of darkness. This power goes to the servant not to any idols. So we
should sing to the Lord a new song and praise God. God will turn everything on
it head and put all idols to shame.
Mark 6:
1 – 13
Jesus,
in his hometown is not considered special even though his teaching at the
synagogue is astoundingly good. They see he had been given wisdom and power yet
trivialise him because he comes from their town. Jesus heals people there but
can do no great deeds of power. Jesus keeps on teaching in villages. He then
sends out the twelve disciples in pairs with authority to heal those with
unclean spirits. They are to go as they are, accept hospitality, be peaceful no
matter what happens and let go of any slights – not carrying the experiences of
last village into the next village – dusting it off before leaving. The
disciples go out teaching repentance, casting out demons, anointing people and
healing them.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
In the vineyard Gapstead Vic L Osburn |
Loving God you heal us,
restore us, bring freedom and light in our darkness. In this world full of war
and non-acceptance commission us to be your servants to bring your light,
healing, freedom and spirit to all we meet so that the world knows there is no
power in idols and that your acts of love and power may be done through Jesus Christ your Son our
Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Friday 4
December 2015
Evening
Prayer
Psalm
81
The
psalm begins with praise and thanksgiving. It moves on to remembering the gifts
of God and how God saved and delivered the people. Finally there is a lament
that the people’s hearts are hard, that they are not listening and until they
do they will be besieged. God wants to feed us with fine things. The choice is
left open.
Isaiah
5: 1 – 17
Isaiah
begins a love song about how his beloved had a vineyard. Stones are dug out,
the land cleared, a watchtower built, the vineyard tended carefully but it
yielded only wild grapes. What more could be done? What will be done now? The
hedge has to be removed, the vineyard dug up, there will be no more gardening
and it will become overgrown with weeds and thorns and it will not be watered.
Isaiah says this is the house of Israel and the people of Judah. God expected
them to yield justice and righteousness instead God sees bloodshed and people
crying out.
1 Thessalonians 4: 1 – 12
Paul urges purity in living since
we have the Holy Spirit within. We are not to exploit others because we have
lustful passions but to control our own bodies in holiness and honour. We are
to love our fellow sisters and brothers in Christ and do more: to live quietly,
mind our own affairs, work with our own hands and become self-sufficient.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Light in the dessert dark Broken Hill NSW L Osburn |
Holy Lord you love us with a deep and immense love.
You want us to be fed with fine things: love, quiet and peace. Be with us this
night as we reflect on our day and strengthen us to call on you for control,
love others, serve you fully, live quietly, work diligently and be as
self-sufficient as possible so that we are part of your team growing and
building your beautiful vineyard through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and
the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.
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