4 January 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 4 January 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalms 11 and 12

The psalmist disputes the claim one should run from enemies. The psalmist will stand firm. He says that if the foundation collapses, then all are powerless. The psalmist trusts in the Lord – the firm foundation.

The psalmist laments the lack of faithful people. People make promises and are unreliable. The poor and the needy suffer as a result but, the Lord is faithful forever and pure. The Lord guards and protects us.

Isaiah 66: 1 – 9

For God heaven is the throne and earth the footstool so a building is not God’s home. What God requires is a humble and contrite spirit. God does not want us worshipping by sacrificing. God wants us to listen and respond. Restoration, many children of God and comfort await.

John 4: 1 – 14

The Pharisees hear that Jesus and his disciples are baptising more people than John. They are already hostile to John so they now turn their focus on Jesus. Jesus leaves Judea and returns to Galilee via Samaria. Jesus, tired sits by a well and the disciples go to buy food.

A Samaritan woman comes to draw water from the well and Jesus asks for water. Jews did not associate with Samaritans. The woman is understandably shocked and says so. Jesus responds that if she knew what God gives and who he is she would be asking him for living water – that which gushes up from within a person and brings them eternal life.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Wonderful protector, guard and restorer you are our only foundation secure forever and you have given us Christ so that we may come and receive all this from you. Help us this day to listen to you, to respond to you and to take the living water that Christ offers so that we may stand firm in the core of our faith and in your love forever through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Monday 4  January 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalms 13 and 14

These psalms are laments and pleas for personal deliverance from enemies, from harm and from a cynical age. The psalmist remains faithful proclaiming God’s deliverance of Israel and care for the poor.

Isaiah 33: 5 – 24

The treacherous one who destroys will be dealt with treacherously and destroyed. The people appeal to God to be their gracious protection and salvation. Isaiah talks of past actions of God and that Zion will be filled with justice, righteousness and stability. The fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.

In tough times, that is when God will be exulted. Those who live righteously will live on in the heights with all their needs assured.

Isaiah prophesies that we will see the King in his beauty. We will think about the terror and oppression and wonder for it is no more. Our eyes will see the eternal city of peace. There the Lord dwells: our judge, ruler and king. People will be fed, sickness healed and sins forgiven.

Ephesians 3: 1 – 13

Paul is in prison because of his ministry to reveal the mystery that people of all nations are now heirs of the promise through Jesus Christ. This is Paul’s ministry and he does not want the people of Ephesus to lose heart because he is imprisoned, instead to be bold and confident in their faith.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Stormfront
Alpine National Park Vic. L Osburn

God of deliverance we give you thanks and praise that in our darkest times you offer to people of every nation the promise of peace, healing, forgiveness and deliverance through Jesus. Be with us when we are surrounded by trouble and when the treacherous one is active in our world. Remind us that you are always there in those dark times and strengthen our faith so that we exult your name, proclaim the mystery of Christ, remain faithful and claim our inheritance of peace, healing and forgiveness from you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

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