12 September 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 12 September 2016 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 33

This psalm is a great hymn of praise to God citing evidence including creation, oversight of nations, strength beyond that of people or war-horses and the steadfast love that delivers our souls from death. The psalm ends saying our souls wait for the Lord, our hearts are glad because we trust and with an appeal for God’s steadfast love to be with us.

Habakkuk 1: 1 – 11

Habakkuk asks God how long will we cry out for help against a ruthless enemy, a fierce impetuous nation that marches through the earth, seizes everything: whose warriors are swifter than leopards and more menacing than wolves. They gather captives like sand and scoff at rulers and kings. Their own might is their God.

Matthew 4: 12 – 22

After Jesus’s temptation by the evil one and when he hears of John the Baptist’s arrest he withdraws to Capernaum, which in itself, fulfils a prophecy of Isaiah’s. There he begins his ministry. He meets Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew and Zebedee's sons James and John, and calls them to come with him and fish for people. They leave their nets, boats and families and follow Jesus.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Fisher sculpture with the Morning Star
Fremantle Harbour WA  L Osburn

Holy and Almighty God you have been with your faithful people in times when ruthless enemies sweep through the earth and take those you love and those who faithfully proclaim you Lord of all. Help us now to reject the temptations of the evil one and to take time to hear your call to us. Enable us to act in ways that build a future based on your love and mercy through Jesus Christ who died for us. Amen.

Monday 12 September 2016 

Evening Prayer

Psalm 31

This powerful psalm is on the theme of taking refuge in God and has the words “Into your hand I commit my spirit”. The second part asks for God’s grace and the final part praises God and encourages us to love the Lord, “be strong and let your heart take courage” (v. 24).

1 Maccabees 1: 1 – 19

After Alexander the Great’s conquering reign and death the kingdom was divided up and the Seleucids reigned over Israel.

Antiochus Epiphanes is ruler and with the assistance of people, who compromise the Mosaic Law, begins a program of making Israel Hellenist and abandoning Jewish traditions. Antiochus, feeling secure, invades Egypt.

Ephesians 1: 1 – 14

Paul begins blessing God and saying how God, chose us before the creation of the world, has adopted us, redeemed us through Christ and forgiven us through grace. Through Christ we know God’s plan to gather us all, and for us to live, praise and glorify God. As believers we are given the Holy Spirit as seal of God’s promise through Christ of our redemption and our inheritance.

Collect for Evening Prayer

"Ferris Wheel: Up and Down"*
Fremantle Harbour L Osburn

Holy and gracious God, you are the one who faithfully and steadfastly loves us and is gracious to us through the ages. Kings and mighty rulers come and go but you have loved us since before time. Help us to identify and acknowledge those moments we focused on you, your love and grace and were faithful to you today so that we, seeing these victories of your Holy Spirit in our lives may grow in strength, in love and in action. May our lives always be to your praise and glory through Jesus Christ our Lord and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

*From Deborah Conway's song, Still Alive and Brilliant

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