4 October 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 4 October 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 80

This psalm is a prayer for deliverance from national enemies. It compares Israel to a vine. It asks for God’s hand to be on the one at God’s right hand, to give us life, to restore us and to save us.

Haggai  1: 12 – 2: 9

Zerubbabel the governor of Judah and Joshua the high priest began the rebuilding of the temple. Haggai the prophet speaks to the people and their spirits are stirred to work on the temple. God speaks to Haggai again to get people together who were alive at the time of the first temple. The prophecy is that this one will be splendid and treasures from nations will come to it.

Matthew 11: 12 – 24

Jesus indicates that John is valid as a prophet. He criticises the people for refusing to join in to the new music of the relationship with God and the music of the end times. The current generation complain about John because of his behaviour and they complain about Jesus. Wisdom is found however in looking at what they did. He then condemns the cities where great deeds of God’s power were done and still the individuals do not repent: do not take it seriously.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Repairing decking boards
Harrietville Vic  L Osburn

Holy Lord you sent your Son to us to make possible an eternal relationship with you and you promise that the work of our hands will be prosperous if it is work that is part of our love and commitment to you. Be with us today and make our hearts sing with the music of our relationship with you and may the works of our hands and minds be acceptable to you and bring you praise and glory through Jesus Christ who died for us. Amen.

Tuesday 4 October 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 81

The psalm begins with praise and thanksgiving. It moves on to remembering the gifts of God and how God saved and delivered the people. Finally there is a lament that the people’s hearts are hard, that they are not listening and until they do they will be besieged. God wants to feed us with fine things. The choice is left open.

1 Maccabees 7: 19 – 32

Bacchides governor of Judah withdraws from Jerusalem and kills people who capitulated or who were from nearby. He gives Alicmus a force to assist him as high priest. Alicmus causes harm for believers and the people. Judas Maccabeus takes revenge throughout the country and his group becomes stronger. Alicmus makes a malicious report to the King who sends Nicanor a prince who hates Israel. He tries to kidnap Judas but the plan is uncovered. The two armies fight – Nicanor loses 500 men and the rest flee into Jerusalem.

Colossians 3: 12 – 17

With fellow believers we are to clothe ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. We are to bear with each other, forgive and bind to each other in love. We are to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, be thankful, teach with wisdom, sing with gratitude and praise and do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ giving thanks to God through Him.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Bridge at the Tronoh Dredge-hole
Harrietville Vic   L Osburn

Holy Lord you show us that your preferred way for your people is one of peace, love, praise and thanksgiving. You also show us through the story of your faithful people that there are times where we must strenuously defend our faith and our people. May we give thanks our Christian communities today and pray for your guidance in those places under threat so that as your people we may listen with the ears of our hearts, do your will, and do so in ways that extend your love, wisdom and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.