5 October 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 5 October 2016 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 82 and 84

The first psalm sets a scene of God judging all the other Gods. They lack knowledge or compassion. They will be destroyed. The psalmist petitions God alone to judge the earth.

A day living in the presence of God is better than anything imaginable. A journey to God’s dwelling place is filled with refreshment: “they go from strength to strength” (v. 7).

Haggai  2: 10 – 23

God asks Haggai to question the priests whether carrying something consecrated and holy means that anything that comes into contact with it is holy? They answer no. And if someone touches something unclean, and then touches any other things do they becomes unclean? They answer yes. Thus if the people are unclean their offerings are unclean, and that un-holiness is more contagious than holiness.

God says that the harvests will be restored, kingdoms on earth are about to be overthrown and that God has chosen Zerubbabel to be “like a signet ring”.

Matthew 11: 25 – 12: 8

Jesus praises God for revealing wisdom not to the knowledgeable but those beginning in faith. Christ claims a personal connection with God; God knows him, he knows God and those to whom Jesus reveals God will know God too.

Jesus then says the words of comfort, welcoming those with heavy burdens to come to Him, learn from Him, know that He is gentle and humble and will give us rest, gentle direction and a light burden.

The disciples, hungry go through a wheat field on the Sabbath glean and eat. Some Pharisees see and complain. Jesus reminds them that David and his soldiers did worse by eating the bread of the Presence in the temple, and priests themselves break the Sabbath. God desires mercy not sacrifice and if the Pharisees understood this they would not have condemned the guiltless.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Early morning with two kangaroo
Armadale WA  L Osburn

God of gentleness, God of grace you know our struggles to do the right thing, to seek holiness and your presence. Jesus shows us that we are to be merciful to others and to ourselves. Help us to be with you now in faith and praise so that we still and small, are just quiet with you, like a signet ring on your finger through Jesus Christ who died for us. Amen.

Wednesday 5 October 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalms 85 and 87

The first psalm reminds us all of God’s forgiveness and historical evidence of restoring people of faith. The psalmist asks for quiet to listen to God who will speak peace to the faithful and give salvation. “Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other” (v.10).

The second psalm is of praise for Zion, the mother city of believers everywhere. It is the basis for the hymn “Glorious things of you are spoken, Zion city of our God.”

1 Maccabees 7: 33 – 50

Nicanor, the prince sent by the King to quell the Jews, goes to the temple. The people greet him and show him the sacrifice they are making for the King. He mocks them, derides them, speaks arrogantly and demands the people hand over Judas Maccabeus and his group or the temple will be destroyed. As he departs the priests stand at the altar weep and pray to God for deliverance.

Nicanor camps outside Jerusalem and is joined by the Syrian army. Judas prays to God’s help to crush this force. The armies meet in battle. Nicanor loses his life early. The enemy flees and are outflanked by people who come from their villages. The people rejoice and proclaim the day of the victory a holiday.

Colossians 3: 18 – 4: 6

In these instructions of how we behave with each other God’s rule comes first. There is no instruction to be obedient to sinful or harmful actions of others. Those in position of power are to show love and mercy and know that God will pay back wrongs done, impartially.

We are to pray, give thanks, pray for Christians who are in prison on account of their faith, conduct ourselves wisely and be efficient, speak graciously to others in thoughtful, informed not flowery ways.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Flame tree
Armadale WA  L Osburn

Holy Lord we can be secure that you are with us, that you hear our prayers. May we take this security and confidently follow your lead, love one another, speak and act in mercy and be authentic with all we meet so that we can do your will, and your name can be glorified because of our lives through Jesus Christ our Lord and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.