25 October 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 25 October 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 135

This psalm is a song of praise and thanksgiving to God. Calls upon the priestly tribes of Israel to praise the Lord.

There is a warning too, those who follow the idols of silver and gold will be like them: have eyes yet not see, have ears yet not hear have mouths yet not breath.

Nehemiah 4

The ridicule increases as construction of the wall begins. The wall is built to half its original size all the way around. The opposition plot to bring confusion and stop the rebuilding. The Israelites hear of the plot and the builders become guards too – the burden is too much. Nehemiah organises the people to gather behind the lowest parts of the wall in family groups all armed. The builders are armed. If there is trouble an alarm system alerts the builders and families who are spread out so that they can rally. The people are faithful. They believe God is with them. Every man and every servant spends the night inside Jerusalem guarding the wall.

Matthew 18: 15 – 35

Jesus gives instructions about discipline in the church. If someone sins against you, talk with him or her alone. If the matter is not resolved have two witnesses and talk again. If the person refuses to listen they are to be treated respectfully as outsiders where there is an opening to return. When we make decisions together those decisions are binding. When we gather in Christ’s name, Christ is there among us.

Peter asks about forgiving others and how many times do we forgive. Jesus tells the parable of the servant who owes a great debt to a king and pleads for more time. The king forgives the debt. But that same servant demands payment of a relatively trivial debt from someone else and is harsh. When the king hears, he calls the servant wicked for not forgiving as he has been forgiven and so withdraws his forgiveness and tortures the servant until the debt is paid. If we fail to forgive others in our hearts as we have been forgiven we will be called to account too.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Steve labouring in the garden
Harrietville Vic L Osburn 

Gracious and loving God you are trustworthy with everything and you show us that we need to work together labouring and protecting each other, forgiving and being forgiven in our communities as you have forgiven us. Be with us as we resolve our conflicts, make decisions and manage the challenges we face daily so that we are mindful of your great sacrifice and love for all humanity through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday 25 October 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 136

This psalm proclaims God’s greatness and enduring love. There is a sense of the overwhelming, overflowing, generosity of God.

Daniel 7: 1 – 14

Daniel reports a dream he had in the first year of King Belshazzar. It is of great beasts coming out of the sea one being utterly destroyed by the Lord and the rest, their dominion taken. Then a form of person presents to the Lord and is given everlasting dominion, glory and kingship over all people’s nations and languages.

2 Peter 1: 12 – 21

Peter clarifies that the gospel does not derive from clever myths but from eyewitness accounts. God honoured Jesus and God’s voice was heard calling Jesus “Son” and “My Beloved” when the disciples were with Him on the mountain.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Eyes Open: Wombat prints in the mud
Alpine National Park
Harrietville. Vic  L Osburn

Holy God of overwhelming generosity, power and enduring love, you guide us through scripture, your law and your faithful people. Open our eyes, ears and hearts so that we may see the out-workings of Christ’s presence in our lives and give you praise and honour and glory forever through Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit. Amen.