28 October 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 28 October 2016 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 143 and 146

The psalmist is in hiding in a cave and sounds depressed yet, is still reaching out to God; is still trusting and obedient. “Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning for in you I put my trust” (v.8).

 The next psalm is one of praise to God who is trustworthy – more than princes: more than mortals. Our God sets prisoners free and cares for orphans and widows.

Nehemiah 6: 10 – 7: 4

Nehemiah visits Shemaiah who is under house arrest. Shemaiah wants to go with Nehemiah to the temple to hide Nehemiah from the enemy who seek to kill him. Nehemiah recognises this as another attempt at intimidation and thus perceives Shemaiah as the enemy within.

When the walls are complete all the surrounding peoples are agitated since they know God is with the Israelites. Communications flow between them all. More letters attempting intimidation come to Nehemiah.

Nehemiah orders the city gates to be open in daylight hours and guards are posted at the gates, watch posts and the houses.

Matthew 20: 1 – 16

Jesus tells a parable of the Kingdom. It is an owner of a vineyard who hires workers for a day’s pay. Later he hires more, and again later. Each are paid the same even those who come late and did not labour as hard for the owner. This parable is not about industrial relations but about the generosity of God to us all and the payment is eternal life.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Avenel Bridge
Avenel Vic  L Osburn

Generous and loving God you love each one of us. You know the struggles we have with enemies and those who are enemies of you. You do not want us to cower or to be intimidated but to get on with building our firm foundations with you at the centre of our lives. Help us to remember every moment that we are yours so that we celebrate you, the most high over all the earth and praise you for your gift even to the least of us of eternal life through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Friday 28 October 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 153 – 176

This portion of the psalm is a plea for preservation of life from someone who is devout “my soul keeps your decrees” and who admits going astray.

Daniel 8: 15 – 27

In Daniel’s vision he hears a voice calling to Gabriel to help Daniel understand the vision. Gabriel explains that it is the future – the end times to come. The ram with two horns represents the Kings of Media and Persia. The male goat is the King of Greece. He explains that one will arise skilled in power and intrigue causing great destruction. He will rise up against the Prince of princes and shall be broken but not by human hands. Gabriel tells Daniel to seal up the vision for it is about many days in the future.

2 Peter 3: 3 – 10

Peter says people will scoff about our commitment to the return of Christ and the end times. They will say the world will go on as always. They will deliberately ignore that God’s word existed before the beginning and was the creative force. The Lord’s time frame is not the same as ours and God wants us all to come to repentance. When the last day comes we won’t know – it will steal up like a thief.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Female Bowerbird - eyes so blue
Harrietville Vic  L Osburn

Holy Lord you teach us compassion by your great example. You show us to bless those who scoff at us or curse us for our beliefs. Help us to relax in your loving arms and know that you will recognise us at the end and that by your grace any of those who scoff or deny may also be beside us, repentant and forgiven through Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit. Amen.