28 September 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 28 September 2016 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 71

This psalmist is an older person who has had a life of connection with God.  The psalm is of praise and a plea for deliverance from personal enemies. The psalmist proclaims his faith and trust that God will raise him up again and promises to use music to proclaim and praise God.

Ezra 1

King Cyrus of Persia, in the hope that God’s word through Jeremiah would be accomplished decrees that anyone who wishes to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple may do so. He provides vessels from the treasury and gives them to Shezbazzar, a prince of Judah. The exiles who return bring all this with them.

Matthew 9: 27 – 38

Jesus heals two blind men and frees a man from a demon. People begin to flock to him for healing. He asks the disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into this harvest.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Sand castles
Cape Le Grand National Park WA
L Osburn

God of compassion and practical action you hear and respond to those of us whose cities are destroyed, whose places of worship are destroyed, whose heath is compromised, and whom enemies beset. Be with us today. Help us be part of your plans for proclaiming our faith and trust in you, rebuilding, restoring and healing this world and its people through Jesus Christ, your Son who died for us. Amen.

Wednesday 28 September 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 65 – 88

In this section the psalmist says that in the past he had gone astray, then was punished and humbled. These events led to study of the law and following God. Now, others are being arrogant, flout the law and attack him. The psalmist asks for deliverance and promises to keep the faith and be steadfast.

1 Maccabees 4: 1 – 36

At Emmaus Judas Maccabeus learns that part of the opposing army is approaching their camp by night. They leave and attack the remnant force on the plain, routing them. The first group returns but Judas Maccabeus’s warriors are now fully armed and defeat the rest.

In the next year Lysias musters more troops who Judas and his warriors defeat. Judas’s people begin to restore the sanctuary in Jerusalem and Lysias goes to Antioch to acquire mercenaries.

Colossians 1: 21 – 29

Paul says that those of us who were estranged from God and doing evil are now reconciled, restored and blameless before God through the crucifixion. This will continue provided we fully and steadfastly continue in our faith. That is what Paul’s mission and suffering were for: to ensure we, from all nations are strong and mature in the faith. In particular he wants us to know the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in us.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Contemplation
Cape Le Grand National Park WA
L Osburn

Holy Lord you are the one who was crucified for us and through whose sacrifice won the greatest battle. Let us reflect on the richness of your glory and your presence in each of us. Be with us now as we review our day and note the times your presence was with us so that we are renewed and restored through Jesus Christ our Lord and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.