22 October 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 22 October 2016 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 118: 1 – 18

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! The remainder of the psalm tells of God’s assistance and reminds us to put our trust not in people or rulers, but God alone.

Nehemiah 1: 1 – 2: 8

Nehemiah is a servant in the palace of Artaxerxes when he gets news of Jerusalem’s utter destruction. He prays fervently, confesses the sins of his family and of the people and reminds God of the promise to Moses that if people return to God he will gather them from the ends of the earth and bring them to the place God has chosen. When he serves, the king notices he is glum and asks him the cause. Nehemiah prays immediately then bravely requests and receives permission to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and to take wood from the forest for the beams of the temple gates, the fortress of the city and the house he will live in.

Matthew 17: 14 – 27

A man whose child has epilepsy approaches Jesus for healing – the disciples were unable to heal the child. Jesus heals the child and when the disciples ask why they could not do it Jesus says it is because they have insufficient faith. Faith the size of a mustard seed could cause a whole mountain to shift position: nothing would be impossible.

Jesus tells them that he will be betrayed, handed over, killed and raised again on the third day.

In Capernaum, temple tax collectors approach Peter to ask if Jesus pays the temple tax. Peter says yes. When he returns, Jesus raises the matter first. He asks whether a king requires his own children to pay tax or whether the tax comes from others. Peter replies, “from others”. The children then are free, but so as not to give offence, Jesus instructs Peter to go fishing and in the mouth of the first fish he catches will be a coin sufficient to pay the temple tax for both of them.

Collect for Morning Prayer

...or baking: Chelsea bun.
Harrietville Vic  L Osburn

Realistic and practical God, you are alive and guide us. You show us that while on one hand if we have faith nothing is impossible and also that we live in a real world one where taxes need to be paid, real betrayal and harm happens. Through it all you are with us. Help us to always pray so that we receive your grace and guidance in all we do: serving, fishing, healing, paying taxes or building a city through Jesus Christ our Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Saturday 22 October 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalms 118: 19 – 29 and 120

The psalm section brims with sweet praise to God. God takes the weak and rejected and makes them the cornerstone. “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it” (vv. 23-24).

The second psalm is a cry of distress from a person in exile far from Israel surrounded by warrior people, “I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war” (v.7).

Daniel 6: 1 – 14

Daniel is a senior administrator in Darius’ kingdom. He is efficient, honest and in line to be the chief administrator. A conspiracy begins against him; all they can use to dishonour Daniel is his religion. The conspirators go to King Darius and encourage him to make a decree that for 30 days anyone who worships any thing or anyone apart from Darius will be thrown to the lions. Darius agrees. The conspirators find Daniel doing his daily prayers and report to the King. The King distressed, wants to save Daniel but the conspirators use the law against the King – the King cannot change his own edict.

1 Peter 5

Peter gives direction to the elders in their exercise of oversight, willingly and as examples of humility for the community. All anxiety is to be laid before God. Discipline is to be exercised because evil prowls like a lion ready to pounce. They are to be steadfast in faith like all the Christians most of whom are in hostile environments. God will restore and strengthen every one of them. They are to stand fast in the true grace of God.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Cherry blossom and dogwood
Harrietville Vic  L Osburn

Generous God of abundant grace you guide and protect your faithful people. You give us great people of faith and humility as models. Strengthen us in enthusiasm, discipline, faith, trust and hope in you so that our lives too may be examples to others and give glory to you through Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit. Amen.