27 October 2016
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Thursday 27
October 2016
Morning
Prayer
Psalm
140
This psalm is an appeal
to be delivered from personal enemies – from violent people and those who stir
things up, those who speak ill, are arrogant and make evil plots. The psalmist
is confident in God’s care.
Nehemiah
5: 14 – 6: 9
Nehemiah
as governor feeds up to 150 people each night and his servants work on the
wall. He imposes no levy on the people to fund the household or buy property.
He asks God to see his deeds.
When
the wall is built (though the gates are not) Sanballat sends a message for
Nehemiah to meet him in a village outside the city. Nehemiah refuses 4 times.
On the 5th Sanballat threatens to tell the king that the Jews intend
to rebel and that Nehemiah has set up prophets to proclaim himself king.
Nehemiah send back a clear message that all this is fabrication. He is aware it
is an intimidation strategy to stop the people from building. Nehemiah prays,
“O God strengthen my hands” (v.9).
Matthew
19: 16 – 30
A young
man calls Jesus “good” and asks Jesus about eternal life. Jesus says there is
only one who is good. Eternal life comes through keeping God’s commandments and
he recites them. The man says he keeps them. Jesus says if he wants to be
perfect, sell all he has, give the money to the poor then follow Christ. The
young man withdraws, grieving: he has so much to lose.
Jesus
says how hard it is for a rich person to get into the Kingdom of God: as hard
as trying the thread a camel through a sewing needle. The disciples become
distressed because only the rich can afford to do what is required – no one has
a hope if they can’t get in. Jesus says, “for God all things are possible”
(v.26).
Peter
wants to know what he will get since the disciples have given up everything?
Jesus says at the end of all things they will be in positions of glory beside
Jesus. Those who leave everything for God will receive eternal life. But many
who are privileged now will be last on the list while those last on the list
now will be honoured.
Collect for Morning Prayer
Slowing down! Sulphur crested cockatoo Lake Mulwala NSW L Osburn |
Holy and
exciting God everything is possible for you: creation, construction, joy,
freedom from oppression, and from possessions. Help us to be alert to those
pressures that would trick us into slowing down. Give is the strength to do
your will. Help us to remember we have already received the reward and
celebrate your gift to us – your Son, so that our lives of service are lives of
praise and thanksgiving through Jesus Christ Your Son our
Lord. Amen.
Thursday 27
October 2016
Evening
Prayer
Psalms
141 and 142
Both psalms are pleas to
be delivered from personal enemies. The first includes a willingness to be
justly corrected by the righteous. The psalmist asks to be assisted to not
engage in retaliation of evil so that enemies realise the psalmist is not only
correct but also gentle.
In the second psalm
things are not going well for the psalmist and the pleas for deliverance
demonstrate faithfulness.
Daniel
8: 1 – 14
Daniel
has a vision of a ram beside a river with two great horns. A huge goat with a
single horn comes from the west and destroys the ram. The goat’s horn breaks
and more horns shoot up. One horn creates havoc on earth, in the temple and in
heaven that lasts 2300 days.
2 Peter 2: 12 – 3: 2
Peter continues his condemnation
of false teachers and how you can tell them by their behaviours, greed and lack
of substance. He laments those who believe and then fall back into their old
life. He encourages the people to remember the words of the prophets and
remember the commandments of Christ spoken through the apostles.
Collect for Evening Prayer
Sulphur crested cockatoos opening themsleves to the wind and surfing on the top of the gum tree in a storm Mulwala NSW L Osburn |
God of hope and promise in tough
times, you have been with your faithful people in times of war, destructive
powers and false teachers. Your way is hope, consistency and truth leading us
to exuberant, joyful praise. In the still, be with us, remind us of Christ and
the commandments to love you and love one another so that our hearts may again
lift to you and be filled with your love, your joy and your peace through Jesus
Christ and your Holy Spirit. Amen.
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