17 October 2016
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Monday 17 October
2016
Morning
Prayer
Psalm
106: 1 – 24
The psalmist begins
praising God and marvelling at God’s faithful love and great deeds. He then
charges that we like the people of the past – from the Exodus to the time of
Aaron – go astray.
Ezra
6: 16 – 7:10
The
temple is dedicated and the people celebrate Passover and the festival of
unleavened bread. Ezra the scribe who is in Babylon seeks permission to come to
Jerusalem. He travels with others who
have skills for working in the temple and arrives in Jerusalem. Ezra plans to
study the Law and teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Matthew
15: 1 – 20
Pharisees
and scribes approach Jesus asking why his disciples do not wash before eating –
it breaks ritual purity laws. Jesus asks why do they break one of the
commandments on honouring parents by denying aging parents the wherewithal for
life through dedicating that money to the temple. He calls them hypocrites. And
quotes scripture on how people honour God with their lips but follow their own
constructed laws. He then says that it
is not what goes into people’s mouths that defile them but what comes out of
their hearts and mouths and into action.
Collect for Morning Prayer
Wagon wheel and cactus Mulberry Vale Resort Broken Hill NSW L Osburn |
Holy and gracious God, you are the
one we should worship and your laws are the ones we need to follow. Help up to
see through the constructed rituals and rules that become idols and disable our
sensibilities and compassion: those that focus on “getting it right” for our
benefit rather than loving you and caring for others. Cleanse the thoughts of
our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit so that our words and actions
are pleasing to you and glorify you through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Monday 17 October
2016
Evening
Prayer
Psalm 106:
25 – 50
The ancient people keep
shifting allegiance and worshipping other gods. They even conduct live
sacrifice of their children. Yet God delivers them, shows compassion. The
psalmist asks for God to gather us in to give thanks, glory and praise to God.
Daniel
4: 1 – 18
Nebuchadnezzar
has a dream of a great tree reaching from earth to heaven that houses and
supports people and animals. A celestial watcher decrees that the tree is to be
cut leaving only a stump and bound in iron. It remains for a set period of time
in a field with animals and grass. He asks Daniel to interpret the dream.
1 Peter 3: 1 – 7
In this section wives and husbands
are charged to love and honour each other. Even if the husband is not a
believer, the woman by her demeanour and example may bring the husband to
Christ without any need for argument.
Collect for Evening Prayer
Sturt Desert Pea Broken Hill NSW L Osburn |
God of healing, God of power, God of
relationships we thank you and praise you. You love us. Your power and love can
and does break forth into our lives and our world. Be with us this night. Help
us to know that no matter the circumstances you are with us so that we bring
all fears to you and step out in courage everyday to love each other through
Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.
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