28 November 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 28 November 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 71

This psalmist is an older person who has had a life of connection with God.  The psalm is of praise and a plea for deliverance from personal enemies. The psalmist promises to use music to proclaim God and praise God.

Isaiah 1: 18 – 31

Jerusalem and her inhabitants are sinning. God promises that if they willing to be obedient to God then all that dross will be washed away. If they continue rebelling they will be considered enemies and put to the sword. The righteous will be restored but the rebels and sinners destroyed.

Mark 4: 1 – 20

Jesus again preaches from a boat since the crowds are too great. He tells the parable of the sower and the seed which he later explains to the disciples. The sower sows seeds that are the word of God. Seed that falls on the path and is taken by birds is like Satan snatching the words immediately. The seed in rocky ground is the word received with joy but with little capacity to root, when trouble or persecution comes the plant fails. The seed sown among the thorns are those who hear the word but the demands of life, cares, legitimate concerns, lure of wealth and desire for other things come in and choke the word and it yields nothing. The seed sown on good soil are those who hear, accept, commit and will bear fruit, 30, 60 or 100 times as much as the start.

Collect for Morning Prayer

In the field
at The Pinnacles near Broken Hill NSW
L Osburn

Holy God, powerful teacher compassionate Lord. So many of the people who hear your word are in field of rocks and paddocks of thorns and invasive weeds. Open our eyes and hearts so that we have compassion for those, whose circumstances mean it is hard to hear, accept and commit to you. Be with us as we pray for them since only you can change their landscape and weather through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Monday 28 November 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 65 – 88

In this section the psalmist says that in the past he was arrogant, then punished and humbled. These events led to study of the law and following God. Now, others are being arrogant, flout the law and attack him. The psalmist asks for deliverance and promises to keep the faith and be steadfast.

Isaiah 40: 1 – 17

God speaks the great words of comfort to Jerusalem. She has paid for her sins. Now she is to hear the voice crying in the wilderness, “prepare the way of the Lord” (v.3). The landscape will change. What was hard and rough before will be made smooth and easy. God’s glory will be revealed.

People are temporary but God’s word lasts forever. Every place is to rejoice – the Lord is coming. The Lord will care for us like a good shepherd cares for sheep. The Lord is great and almighty. No one direct or counsels or advises God.

If we were properly to thank God through a burnt offering there would be not enough timber in the whole of Lebanon or enough animals – the earth is insignificantly small compared to our God.

1 Thessalonians 1

Paul greets the church in Thessalonica. He recognises their chosen status since the gospel came to them by word and Holy Spirit. They became followers of Christ and examples for believers in Macedonia and Achaia. News of their faith has helped other communities of Christians for they know how the Thessalonians welcomed Paul and his fellows and turned from idols to worshipping the living God and wait for Jesus’ return.

Collect for Evening Prayer

In the wilderness:
at The Pinnacles near Broken Hill NSW
L Osburn

Holy and generous God, when we consider your gifts to us we recognise your awesome grace and praise you. We pray for your deliverance those caught by idols and pride. Help us to prepare anew for your coming. We pray too that you will sustain us in our commitments to you so that we your faithful people can be examples: worshipping you and waiting for you through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.