6 October 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 6 October 2016 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 86

The psalmist approaches God in humility and reverent recognition asking for assistance. Praise and honour are awarded to God and the psalmist asks to walk in truth and to have a heart for God alone. Thanks are given to God for steadfast love.

Zechariah  1: 1 – 17

In the second year of King Darius of Persia, Zechariah hears the voice of God telling him to tell the people to repent and return to God. All the people of the past have gone but God’s statutes remain. The people repent.

Three months later Zechariah has a vision of a man, and horse riders. These are sent by God to patrol the earth. They have found peace everywhere. Then the angel appeals to God for mercy for Jerusalem. God graciously replies using words of comfort. God was angry but the other nations, now at peace made things worse. God has returned to Jerusalem and God’s house will be built there and God’s cities will overflow with prosperity.

Matthew 12: 9 – 21

Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, When questioned he says people are more precious than sheep and any of us would rescue a trapped sheep on the Sabbath. The Pharisees conspire to destroy Jesus. He leaves, although followed by crowds he cures them and appeals to them to stay quiet. Jesus will be the hope to all nations.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Flowering shrub
Cape Le Grand National Park WA
 L Osburn

Healing and restoring God you hold every person precious in your sight. We pray for the world, for repentance, for people to seek you out so that they may be healed and restored and that their healing and lives bring glory to you Lord through Jesus Christ who died for us. Amen.

Thursday 6 October 2016 

Evening Prayer

Psalm 88

This is a prayer of a faithful person who has been seriously ill since childhood and now believes they are close to death. The prayer asks God to listen. The psalmist is bold with God. “Is your steadfast love declared in the grave…?” (v.11). The only sense of hope in this psalm is in God’s response.

1 Maccabees 9: 1 – 22

Demetrius hears that Nicanor has failed against the Maccabees so sends Bacchides and Alcimus back into Judah with a larger force. Many of Judas Maccabeus’ fighters flee before the battle leaving only a few. Judas, outnumbered decides to fight anyway. He manages to win over one flank of the army then is killed. It is of Judas Macabeus that the verse is said “How is the mighty fallen, the saviour of Israel” (v.21).

Colossians 4: 7 – 18

Paul offers his final greetings and grace to the Colossians recommending the disciples who are bringing the letter and reminding them that they are in everyone’s prayers particularly Epaphras – who is one of their people. Paul asks his chains to be remembered.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Climbing Frenchman's Peak
Cape Le Grand National Park WA
 L Osburn

Holy Lord you have promised to guard us in our ways and your scriptures show that the ways of your faithful people are not easy. Our faithful lives require effort, may include battles and imprisonment and each of us is part of an eternal story. Be with us this night as we praise and thank you for our continued lives and the opportunity to serve you that comes with every new day so that our ways are your way and we are always confident in your care through Jesus Christ our Lord and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.