18 October 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 18 October 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 107: 1 – 22

Whether we are lost in a dry place, imprisoned or sick we are encouraged to “cry to the Lord whose steadfast love endures forever”.

Ezra 7: 11 – 28

King Artaxerxes writes a letter to Ezra giving his specific permission to go to Jerusalem with willing believers. The King gives resources from the treasury and provinces for the temple. Ezra is to set up magistrates and judges and administer Jerusalem in line with God's Laws. Ezra blesses God.

Matthew 15: 21 – 39

Jesus encounters a Canaanite woman, not Jewish, who calls to him to heal her daughter tormented by a demon. Initially Jesus ignores her. Then explains he was sent to the Jewish people – he is for them – it would be like giving their food to dogs. She counters by saying that even dogs are permitted to eat scraps. Jesus recognises her faith, heals the daughter and understands that his mission is not to the Jews but to the entire world.

Great crowds follow him. He heals the sick, lame and frail. He has compassion for them seeing they have been with him three days with no food. The disciples have 7 loaves and some fish. Jesus blesses and breaks the food that is distributed to 4000 people and the uncounted women and children. Seven baskets of food remained – more than enough scraps.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Church in the desert
Silverton NSW  L Osburn

Compassionate God of eternal faithfulness and love; you heal us when we come to you in faith and humility and you want us to give thanks for all who provide resources so that we may worship and for those who approach us seeking you. Open our hearts. Release our compassion and generosity so that we share the gifts of your love and the fruits of your Kingdom with everyone we encounter to your honour, glory and love through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tuesday 18 October 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 107: 23 – 43

The psalmist recalls some of God’s saving and restoring actions – saving sailors and bringing rain to the desert. We are reminded that faithfulness leads to hope, and pride leads to being brought low. We are to call on the Lord for our great provision.

Daniel 4: 19 – 27

Daniel with courage and deference interprets the King’s dream. The tree is the King and his power will be cut. He will be driven away from human society and will live with wild animals until he recognises that God alone is sovereign. Daniel requests that the King atone for his sins and show mercy to the oppressed so that his prosperity may be prolonged.

1 Peter 3: 8 – 16

Peter asks us to have “a unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart and a humble mind” (v.8). We are to repay evil and abuse with a blessing: speak no evil or deceit. Instead do good things and pursue peace. We are unlikely to be harmed for good conduct and even if we are, we are blessed. We are not to allow ourselves to be intimidated and we are to have no fear. We are to always be ready to make our defence of what we believe and to do it gently and with reverence.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Sunset on the road
Broken Hill NSW  L Osburn

God of mercy and compassion, you give us the strength and courage to focus on you and live our lives in ways that honour you. Help us to reflect on the times we have shown unity of spirit, sympathy, love, tender heartedness, humility, courage, and pursued peace. Help us see that as we did any of these today we can in faithfulness and hope do them tomorrow and strengthen our capacity to love and serve you all the days of our lives through Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.