13 September 2016
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Tuesday 13 September 2016
Morning
Prayer
Psalm
35: 1 – 17
This
section of the psalm asks for God to contend with personal enemies: those who
fight, who devise evil, who ensnare, who are malicious witnesses, who repay
good for evil and, who mock. The psalmist asks, “say to my soul ‘I am your
salvation’ ” (v.3).
Habakkuk 1: 12 – 2: 5
Habakkuk asks how can God allow such treachery when
the wicked destroy the righteous and when the evil one gathers the righteous in
a net like fish? Is the evil one to keep destroying without mercy?
Habakkuk keeps watch and listens for God. The Lord
answers: there is an end of this; the time will come, wait. The proud have a
wrong spirit; the righteous ones have faith. Wealth is treacherous and
arrogance does not last, they are never satisfied and treat people like
possessions.
Matthew 4: 23 – 5: 12
Jesus begins teaching in synagogues, telling the good
news and healing. He goes to a mount and blesses to the highest good: the poor
in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who seek righteousness, the
merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted and those reviled
and persecuted on behalf of Christ.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
Sanctuary Barossa Valley SA L Osburn |
Holy, generous and compassionate
God, you bless us to your highest good when we feel deep spiritual emptiness,
when we mourn, when we hold ourselves, when we seek to do the right thing, when
we are merciful, when our hearts are open, when we work for peace and when we
are persecuted – especially if we are harmed for being yours in Christ. You
know where we are and who we are. Shine your light on us now. Fill us with your
love so that we, feeling so blessed, bless others too, act with compassion,
continue in faith and hope and love to do your will through Jesus Christ who
died for us. Amen.
Tuesday 13 September 2016
Evening
Prayer
Psalms
35: 18 – 29 and 36
The end
of the first psalm continues the plea for God to contend with personal enemies
and vows to praise God when the psalmist is vindicated.
The
second psalm describes the character of those who are wicked. It then describes
the character of God “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we
see light”(v.9). The psalm ends in a plea for steadfast love and salvation.
1
Maccabees 1: 20 – 40
Antiochus
returns from Egypt, sacks the temple and takes all the gold and valuables and
returns to Syria. He sends a force allegedly to collect taxes. They first
appear to come in peace but instead take over the city and kill people.
Jerusalem is no longer a sanctuary. The residents of Jerusalem flee.
Ephesians 2: 1 – 10
Paul says we have all in the past
followed the lead of whims, breezes, desires and our internal anger. But God
shows us mercy and makes us alive again with Christ. By grace we have been saved
and blessed. It is by grace, not our own doing that we have been saved through
faith.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Evening Denmark WA L Osburn |
Holy and gracious God, from before
time you loved us and want us to experience your sanctuary and your blessings
which you give us by grace through Jesus Christ. We praise and thank you and
glorify you. For as we come to the end of this day we acknowledge your great
gifts of grace. Keep us in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ your son our
Lord and make our lives a testament to your love and great mercy through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
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