26 February 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 26 February 2014

Morning Prayer

Psalms 137: 1 – 6 (7 –9); 138

The song of the exiles... “By the river of Babylon”. The psalmist feels the pain and anguish of the destruction of Jerusalem and worries about forgetting yet finding it impossible to sing.

The second psalm is a song of praise and deliverance and ends with the psalmist faithfully claiming, “the Lord will fulfil his purpose for me”.

Jeremiah 45: 1 – 46: 12

Jeremiah tells Barach that things are not going to get better but Barach will keep his life. Jeremiah then tells of the outcome of the war between Nebuchadrezzaar of Babylon and Neco II of Egypt.

Luke 8: 1 – 8

Jesus travels with the disciples and women who were healed and who provided the funded and supported the journey from their own resources. Jesus tells the story of the sower and sowing seeds on different types of ground.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Matt Plants Head of the Bight SA
2014 L Osburn

Compassionate God, you know that the environment in which we live, social, financial and political can be harsh. Help us to have realistic expectations and to keep the faith, to sing your songs, to spread knowledge of your word and saving grace wherever we are so that we work always to your praise and glory through Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit who lives in our hearts. Amen. 

Wednesday 26 February 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 139

The psalmist loves, reveres and understands the majesty and ever-presence of God. He wants to distance himself from anyone and anything that is opposed to God – to actively step away. He appeals to God to examine him, test him and lead him in the right way.

Genesis 31: 43 – 32: 12

Laban explains to Jacob his understanding that he as patriarch owns his daughters, their husbands, the grandchildren, and flocks. Jacob has a different view. They agree not to harm each other and for Jacob to go to his ancestral lands. Jacob sends messengers to Esau to let him know he is returning and the response was that Esau is coming to him and bringing 400 men. Jacob is afraid, divides his group and prays for deliverance.

2 Timothy 2: 15 – 26

Paul encourages Timothy to know that the foundation of the faith is secure and not to get caught up in squabbles over words, news of the world, idle chatter and controversies. Timothy is to be assured that the Lord knows who is the Lord’s and whoever comes humbly has a role in ministry. Be gentle when correcting people so that it is easier for them to come to the truth.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Head of the Bight SA 2014
L Osburn

Almighty and ever present God, we thank you for your steadfast concern and clear foundations of our faith reinforced and made manifest through Jesus Christ our Lord. Keep us clear of squabbles and strife. Keep us calm and comforted by your blessed assurance through Jesus Christ our Lord, redeemer and saviour. Amen.