Thursday 6 October 2016

7 October 2016



Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 


Friday 7 October 2016
Morning Prayer

Psalm 90

This is a group lament. The psalmist asks that we be satisfied in the morning with God’s steadfast love so that we may rejoice and be glad everyday.

There is a separation from God and a plea that there be as many days connected to God as there have been separation. The psalmist asks for God’s compassion on the people and that the work of human hands may prosper.

Zechariah 1: 18 – 2: 13

Zechariah has a vision part of which is recounted in this section. He sees four horns that represent the four powerful nations and four blacksmiths come to destroy them. Then Zechariah sees a man about to measure the area that is Jerusalem predicting that the city will be so big it will have no walls and God will be a wall of fire around it.

Zechariah hears instructions to escape to Zion. The Lord will come and live in Zion and the people will be God’s people. The people are to be silent before God who is moving and active in the world.

Matthew 12: 22 – 37

Some Pharisees accuse Jesus of being in league with the devil since he orders demons out of people. But, it is not in the devil’s interest to have his kingdom divided against itself; under whose power do their own exorcist’s work? They can accept that their own exorcists are also evil or accept that the Kingdom of God is with them now. Jesus’ power is stronger than the one keeping the demon in. So it follows that anyone who isn’t with Jesus is against Him.

He accepts that humans will say derogatory things about Him but they are not to do so about the Holy Spirit – now or in the future.

Jesus challenges the Pharisees to decide whether He is good and all that comes from Him is good or decide He is bad and that all that comes from him is bad. He then shows that since dreadful things comes out of their mouths they are bad to the core. People who are good inside produce good words and it is by our words – what we produce, we will be judged.


Collect for Morning Prayer

Part of the Queensland Coastline
L Osburn
Almighty God you are more powerful than any army, evil, flood or tsunami. From you come love, freedom, hope and grace. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you this day and every day of our lives so that we may with confidence approach you and receive your everlasting love through Jesus Christ who died for us. Amen.



Friday 7 October 2016
Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 89 – 104

The psalmist expresses faith in God’s word – commitment to God and the law. The psalm also shows the effect of the scriptures on the psalmist through meditation, understanding and a guide for life.

“If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my misery” (v.92).

1 Maccabees 13: 41 – 53

The land is now free from all invaders from other countries and Simon now high priest and commander lays siege on Gazara, allows the inhabitant to repent, cleanses the city and installs faithful people in the houses. He does the same in Jerusalem and there is great celebration at the cleansing and restoration of the city. Simon then makes his son John, the commander.

Philemon 1 – 14

Paul sends this letter with Onesimus who was a slave and had left. Paul attests to Onesimus’s usefulness and asks that Philemon welcome Onesimus. Paul wanted to keep Onesimus but instead sends him back for Philemon to make a decision.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Brisbane Queensland from the sky
L Osburn
Wonderful God, nothing is hidden from you and through you all things are restored. Be with us this night, free us from all the situations that oppress us, restore us, console us and refresh us so that we may rise with energy and enthusiasm to serve you in this world you love through Jesus Christ our Lord and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.



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