3 October 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 3 October 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 78: 16 – 38

This portion of the psalm recounts the complaints against God when the Israelites are in the desert with Moses. Water is produced from rocks, food falls from heaven, both bread and birds. They have little faith and yet when they repent, God forgives.

Haggai 1: 1 – 11

Haggai prophesies that now is the time to start rebuilding the temple. The governor and chief priest live in panelled houses, have sufficient food and drink, and don’t have to count pennies yet they have not restored the temple. There will be continued drought and crop failure unless the temple is rebuilt.

Matthew 11: 1 – 11

Jesus having instructed the disciples continues teaching in the cities. John the Baptist who was in prison sends his disciples to Jesus to ask whether Jesus is the messiah. Jesus replies that they should tell John the words Jesus speaks then consider his deeds. He blesses those who take no offence.

When the disciples of John depart, Jesus asks the crowds, whom did they go to see in the wilderness? Was he a political leader or a prophet? Is he the fulfilment of the prophecy of the voice crying in the wilderness –“prepare the way”? John the Baptist is one of the greats among humans and only one of the humble in heaven.

Collect for Morning Prayer

On the path
Bon Accord Track
Alpine National Park Harrietville Vic
L Osburn

Holy Lord you walk with us every day of our lives bringing mercy, grace and overflowing love. We offer our hearts and minds to you in humility and faith. Help us in the days ahead to invest our time and effort in building ourselves into living temples for you so that we play an active part in spreading your peace and love in the world through Jesus Christ who died for us. Amen.

Monday 3 October 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalms 78: 39 - 70

The psalmist shows how short the memories of humans are and how fickle. The Israelites in the desert did not remember or take into account the miracles of God that enabled their freedom. They had little faith. God held on and made decisions about the future of the people and who would lead them, for example choosing the line of Judah rather than the line of Joseph: choosing David and Mt Zion. Whether humans are faithful or not, God still guides them.

1 Maccabees 7: 1 –18

Demetrius arrives and has King Antiochus and Lysias killed. He sets up a false priest, Alicmus and Bacchides as governor for Judah. They arrive in Judah and talk in ways that suggest negotiation but they have a large army. Judas Maccabeus is sceptical. The Hasideans, believing Alicmus to be credible, approach and are given oaths of peace but Alicmus kills 60 Hasideans in one day. Everyone now knows there is no truth or justice in Demetrius’ people.

Colossians 3: 1 – 11

Since we have been raised with Christ we need to seek things that are above the material world. We are to put aside self-gratification and wrath, anger, abuse and slander. We are to become our new self and know that for all Christians, no matter our country or customs Christ is our all and is in all of us.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Wildflowers on the way
Bon Accord Track
Alpine National Park Harrietville Vic
L Osburn

Holy Lord, love, truth, justice and compassion are yours. Help us, to review our progress in our lives with you and to celebrate and give you thanks for every time we choose you over our selves, to be our all in all so that we are vessels of your truth, justice and faithfulness in our world through Jesus Christ our Lord and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.