Australian Daily Prayer

20th Saturday after Trinity

1
God has shone in our hearts,
to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ
2 Corinthians 4:6
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
2 The Opening Canticle, A Song of Creation
Bless the Lord all created things:
who is worth to be praised and exalted for ever.
Bless the Lord all people of the earth:
who is worth to be praised and exalted for ever.
O people of God bless the Lord:
bless the Lord you priests of the Lord,
Bless the Lord you servants of the Lord:
who is worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Bless the Lord all you of upright spirit:
bless the Lord you that are holy and humble in heart.
Bless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit:
who is worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Song of the Three 35ff
3 The Opening Prayer
The night has passed and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence may be kept
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each.
1  Alleluia.
      How good it is to make music for our God, •
   how joyful to honour him with praise.
2  The Lord builds up Jerusalem •
   and gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
3  He heals the brokenhearted •
   and binds up all their wounds.
4  He counts the number of the stars •
   and calls them all by their names.
5  Great is our Lord and mighty in power; •
   his wisdom is beyond all telling.
6  The Lord lifts up the poor, •
   but casts down the wicked to the ground.
7  Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; •
   make music to our God upon the lyre;
8  Who covers the heavens with clouds •
   and prepares rain for the earth;
9  Who makes grass to grow upon the mountains •
   and green plants to serve our needs.
10  He gives the beasts their food •
   and the young ravens when they cry.
11  He takes no pleasure in the power of a horse, •
   no delight in human strength;
12  But the Lord delights in those who fear him, •
   who put their trust in his steadfast love.
13  Sing praise to the Lord, O Jerusalem; •
   praise your God, O Zion;
14  For he has strengthened the bars of your gates •
   and has blest your children within you.
15  He has established peace in your borders •
   and satisfies you with the finest wheat.
16  He sends forth his command to the earth •
   and his word runs very swiftly.
17  He gives snow like wool •
   and scatters the hoarfrost like ashes.
18  He casts down his hailstones like morsels of bread; •
   who can endure his frost?
19  He sends forth his word and melts them; •
   he blows with his wind and the waters flow.
20  He declares his word to Jacob, •
   his statutes and judgements to Israel.
21  He has not dealt so with any other nation; •
   they do not know his laws.
      Alleluia.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
Creator God, whose praise and power are proclaimed by the whole creation: receive our morning prayers, we pray, and renew us in your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed

2 Kings 20 (Listen)

Hezekiah’s Illness and Recovery

20:1 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, 3 “Now, O LORD, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: 5 “Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD, 6 and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David’s sake.” 7 And Isaiah said, “Bring a cake of figs. And let them take and lay it on the boil, that he may recover.”

8 And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the LORD on the third day?” 9 And Isaiah said, “This shall be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he has promised: shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?” 10 And Hezekiah answered, “It is an easy thing for the shadow to lengthen ten steps. Rather let the shadow go back ten steps.” 11 And Isaiah the prophet called to the LORD, and he brought the shadow back ten steps, by which it had gone down on the steps of Ahaz.

Hezekiah and the Babylonian Envoys

12 At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 13 And Hezekiah welcomed them, and he showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. 14 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” And Hezekiah said, “They have come from a far country, from Babylon.” 15 He said, “What have they seen in your house?” And Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.”

16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD: 17 Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the LORD. 18 And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” 19 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?”

20 The rest of the deeds of Hezekiah and all his might and how he made the pool and the conduit and brought water into the city, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 21 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and Manasseh his son reigned in his place.

(ESV)

Philippians 4:2–23 (Listen)

Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion,1 help these women, who have labored2 side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness3 be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned4 and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

God’s Provision

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

14 Yet it was kind of you to share5 my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.6 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Footnotes

[1] 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus; Greek true yokefellow
[2] 4:3 Or strived (see 1:27)
[3] 4:5 Or gentleness
[4] 4:9 Or these things— 9which things you have also learned
[5] 4:14 Or have fellowship in
[6] 4:17 Or I seek the profit that accrues to your account

(ESV)

The reading may be followed by a period of silence for reflection, a hymn or
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
7 The Canticle, A Song of Redemption
Christ is the image of the invisible God:
the first-born of all creation.
For in him all things were created:
in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.
All things were created through him and for him:
his is before all things
and in him all things hold together.

He is the head of the body, the Church:
he is the beginning, the first-born form the dead.
For it pleases God that in him
all fullness should dwell:
and through him all things be reconciled to himself.
Colossians 1:15-20
8 The Apostles' Creed may be said
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
9 The Prayers
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
10 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day
Our Father in heaven
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
O God, our heavenly Father,
who raised up your faithful servant N
to be a bishop in your Church
and to feed your flock:
give abundantly to all bishops and other pastors
the gifts of your Holy Spirit,
so that they may minister in your household
as true servants of Christ,
and stewards of your holy mysteries;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Almighty God,
who give to your servant N
boldness to confess the name of Jesus Christ
and courage to die for this faith:
teach us to always to be ready
to give a reason for the hope that is in us,
and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord and Saviour;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Almighty God,
by whose grace and power
your holy martyr N triumphed over suffering
and was faithful even to death:
grant that we, who now remember him/her in thanksgiving,
may be so faithful in our witness to you in this world,
that we may receive with him/her the crown of everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
11 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
12 The Morning Collect
Lord and heavenly Father, you have brought us safely to this new day: keep us by your mighty power, protect us from sin, guard us from every kind of danger, and in all we do this day direct us in the fulfilling of your purpose, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
13
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the peace of God which passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Philippians 4:7
1
Grace to you and peace
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:2
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
2 The Opening Canticle, A Song of the Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd:
therefore can I lack nothing.
He shall make me lie down in green pastures:
and lead me beside still waters.
He shall refresh my soul:
and guide me in right pathways for his name's sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for you are with me,
your rod and your staff comfort me.

You spread a table before me in the presence
of those who trouble me:
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup shall be full.

Surely your goodness and loving-kindness
shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23
3 The Opening Prayer
The day is now passed and the night is at hand.
Let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence may be kept
Father of lights, receive the prayer and praise we offer you as our evening sacrifice; make us a light for all the world, delivered by your goodness from all the works of darkness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each
1  Alleluia.
      Praise the Lord from the heavens; •
   praise him in the heights.
2  Praise him, all you his angels; •
   praise him, all his host.
3  Praise him, sun and moon; •
   praise him, all you stars of light.
4  Praise him, heaven of heavens, •
   and you waters above the heavens.
5  Let them praise the name of the Lord, •
   for he commanded and they were created.
6  He made them fast for ever and ever; •
   he gave them a law which shall not pass away.
7  Praise the Lord from the earth, •
   you sea monsters and all deeps;
8  Fire and hail, snow and mist, •
   tempestuous wind, fulfilling his word;
9  Mountains and all hills, •
   fruit trees and all cedars;
10  Wild beasts and all cattle, •
   creeping things and birds on the wing;
11  Kings of the earth and all peoples, •
   princes and all rulers of the world;
12  Young men and women,
      old and young together; •
   let them praise the name of the Lord.
13  For his name only is exalted, •
   his splendour above earth and heaven.
14  He has raised up the horn of his people
      and praise for all his faithful servants, •
   the children of Israel, a people who are near him.
      Alleluia.
1  Alleluia.
      O sing to the Lord a new song; •
   sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful.
2  Let Israel rejoice in their maker; •
   let the children of Zion be joyful in their king.
3  Let them praise his name in the dance; •
   let them sing praise to him with timbrel and lyre.
4  For the Lord has pleasure in his people •
   and adorns the poor with salvation.
5  Let the faithful be joyful in glory; •
   let them rejoice in their ranks,
6  With the praises of God in their mouths •
   and a two-edged sword in their hands;
7  To execute vengeance on the nations •
   and punishment on the peoples;
8  To bind their kings in chains •
   and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9  To execute on them the judgement decreed: •
   such honour have all his faithful servants.
      Alleluia.
1  Alleluia.
      O praise God in his holiness; •
   praise him in the firmament of his power.
2  Praise him for his mighty acts; •
   praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3  Praise him with the blast of the trumpet; •
   praise him upon the harp and lyre.
4  Praise him with timbrel and dances; •
   praise him upon the strings and pipe.
5  Praise him with ringing cymbals; •
   praise him upon the clashing cymbals.
6  Let everything that has breath •
   praise the Lord.
      Alleluia.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
Lord Christ, eternal Word and Light of the Father's glory: send your light and your truth that we may both know and proclaim your word of life, to the glory of God the Father; for you now live and reign, God for all eternity. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed

Ezekiel 36:16–36 (Listen)

The Lord’s Concern for His Holy Name

16 The word of the LORD came to me: 17 “Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their deeds. Their ways before me were like the uncleanness of a woman in her menstrual impurity. 18 So I poured out my wrath upon them for the blood that they had shed in the land, for the idols with which they had defiled it. 19 I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries. In accordance with their ways and their deeds I judged them. 20 But when they came to the nations, wherever they came, they profaned my holy name, in that people said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, and yet they had to go out of his land.’ 21 But I had concern for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they came.

I Will Put My Spirit Within You

22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. 24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.1 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. 30 I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations. 32 It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord GOD; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.

33 “Thus says the Lord GOD: On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places shall be rebuilt. 34 And the land that was desolate shall be tilled, instead of being the desolation that it was in the sight of all who passed by. 35 And they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ 36 Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the LORD; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it.

Footnotes

[1] 36:27 Or my just decrees

(ESV)

John 14:15–31 (Listen)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,1 to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be2 in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.

Footnotes

[1] 14:16 Or Advocate, or Counselor; also 14:26; 15:26; 16:7
[2] 14:17 Some manuscripts and is

(ESV)

The reading may be followed by a period of silence for reflection, a hymn or
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
7 The Canticle, the Easter Anthems
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us:
so let us celebrate the feast,
Now with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness:
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Christ once raised from the dead dies no more:
death has no more dominion over him.
In dying, he died to sin once for all:
in living, he lives to God.
See yourselves, therefor, as dead to sin:
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Christ has been raised from the dead:
the first fruits of those who sleep.
For since by one man came death:
by another has come also the resurrection of the dead,
For as in Adam all die:
even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
8 The Prayers
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
9 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day
Our Father in heaven
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
O God, our heavenly Father,
who raised up your faithful servant N
to be a bishop in your Church
and to feed your flock:
give abundantly to all bishops and other pastors
the gifts of your Holy Spirit,
so that they may minister in your household
as true servants of Christ,
and stewards of your holy mysteries;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Almighty God,
who give to your servant N
boldness to confess the name of Jesus Christ
and courage to die for this faith:
teach us to always to be ready
to give a reason for the hope that is in us,
and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord and Saviour;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Almighty God,
by whose grace and power
your holy martyr N triumphed over suffering
and was faithful even to death:
grant that we, who now remember him/her in thanksgiving,
may be so faithful in our witness to you in this world,
that we may receive with him/her the crown of everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
10 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
11 The Evening Collect
Come to visit us, Lord this night, so that by your strength we may rise at daybreak to rejoice in the resurrection of Christ your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
12
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen.
see Revelation 22:13