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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