14 February 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings

Friday 14 February 2014

Morning Prayer

Psalm 108, 109: 20 - 30

The first psalm begins with praising God, giving thanks and acknowledging God’s faithfulness. It moves on to ask for a victory and recognises that if God does not go with us there are no victories.

The portion of the second psalm is a prayer for deliverance “Let them curse, but you will bless”.

Jeremiah 19:1 – 20:6

Jeremiah condemns the people for worshipping idols and for live sacrifice of their children to other Gods. He prophesies destruction and exile to Babylon. When he is punished and publicly humiliated by a temple officer he renames the man “Terror-all-around” and prophesies that the officer and his family will be captive and die in exile.

Luke 5: 12 – 26

Two stories of Jesus’ healing ministry: the healing of a person with leprosy and the healing of a paralysed person. After healing people Jesus withdraws to pray. And in healing he has the authority to forgive sins.

Collect for Morning Prayer

 

Sanctuary Island Edward River
Deniliquin NSW 2014 L Osburn

Gracious and loving God, we thank you for your healing touch and for your presence with us when we encounter evil acts and evil intent. We acknowledge that we too can be caught in putting other activities before you, forgetting to seek you first, forgetting that there are no victories without you. We thank you that your son came to wash away our sins, to bring forgiveness and reconciliation with you. We pray that through your grace, the redemption made possible by Christ and through the power of your Holy Spirit we may always come back to you and receive your blessing in our lives. Amen.

Friday 14 February 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 119:105 – 128

This psalm is full of powerful one-liners. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”; “You are my hiding place and my shield”; “Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes”; “Truly I love your commandments more than gold, more than fine gold”.

Genesis 26:1 – 17

In a famine Isaac decides to move but is directed by God not to go to Egypt. He settles in Gerar and is afraid there – he pretended Rebekah was his sister so that he was not killed because of her beauty. He prospered as promised and was protected by King Abimelech.

1 Timothy 1:12 - 20

Here Paul testifies that he was a great sinner; a blasphemer, a persecutor and person of violence and that Christ’s grace, and patience now fills him with faith and love. He honours and praises the “King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God”.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Children's water playground
Perth WA 2014 L Osburn

Great, almighty, wonderful God of all that is seen and unseen, you shield us, you love us you teach us; you show us abundant patience and mercy. We are overwhelmed by your generosity. We praise you and thank you for the great gift of your son Jesus and the presence of your Holy Spirit. Amen