Monday 30 June 2014

1 July 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 


Tuesday 1 July 2014 
Morning Prayer

Psalms 1 and 2

People who set themselves apart from all the turmoil of the world, who contemplate God, and God’s laws are like trees with good soil and water that bear fruit, don’t wither but prosper. The wicked are like chaff – an empty hull – they will not be with God at the end.

A rhetorical psalm asking why some people think they can break the bond between God and his anointed one (messiah). The psalmist thinks it is laughable. God is all-powerful and the anointed one is his begotten son. God’s power could be used to punish and correct. Let humans be warned to respect God. Those that take refuge in the Lord will be happy.

2 Chronicles 17: 1 – 13 and 18: 1 - 8

Jehosophat succeeds Asa his father as king of Judah. He fortifies the towns and follows the commandments of God. He is courageous for God and sends officials and priests to teach throughout Judah since they have a copy of the book of the Law of the Lord.

The neighbouring countries respect him, do not cause wars and give him gifts. He builds cities and an army.

Jehosophat makes a marriage alliance with Ahab, king of Israel. Ahab asks Jehosophat to join him in battle against Ramoth-gilead. Jehosophat agrees providing that God is consulted through the prophets. Prophets are called and they proclaim victory but Jehospohat asks whether these are all the prohpets. Ahab responds that there is one Micaiah, he doesn’t like because he never says anything positive about Ahab. Jehospohat has Micaiah summoned.

Acts 14: 8 – 18

In Lystra, Paul notices a man who from birth could not walk listening intently and having faith to be healed. Paul tells him to stand and he is healed. The people decide that Paul and Barnabas must be Greek gods. The priest at the temple of Zeus prepares oxen and brings garlands of flowers. When Paul and Barnabas hear they are so distressed they run into the crowds and tear their clothes. They say that they are mortals, that there is only one God who has allowed the Greeks to live by providing rains in their season and that the Greek gods are worthless. Even though Paul said these things the crowd can barely be restrained for worshipping them.

Collect for Morning Prayer


Parrot in the Karri Forest WA
2014  L Osburn

Holy Lord, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ the Messiah our saviour, who with you and the Holy Spirit guide our lives. We seek you and we want to bear fruit for the glory of your kingdom. Help us to discern your true message for our lives. Help us to listen for your voice in the criticism of others and treat abundant praise with caution, so that we show our respect and reverence to you one Lord, Father Son and Holy Spirit. We ask this through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Tuesday 1 July 2014
Evening Prayer

Psalms 3 and 4

People who say that faith in God is pointless surround the psalmist. Yet the psalmist prays and the prayers are answered: sleeps and is sustained by God. There is no fear and the psalmist leaves any reprisals to God.

The psalmist begins by acknowledging God’s grace and comfort in the past and asks for prayers to be answered. The psalmist guides us: when we are upset, we are not to do the wrong thing but take time, ponder what is going on, put aside our self and put our trust in God.  If we want a sign from God, the psalmist recounts that through prayer and right sacrifice the happiness and peace experienced are the real signs of God’s presence.

Ezekiel 8: 1 – 15

Ezekiel is at home with the elders of the temple with him. He has a vision where he is lifted up and encounters a sense of pure jealousy. He then is shown people he knows, including elders of the house of Israel and places he knows where they are worshipping other gods in secret or crying over vegetation gods who have withdrawn in the winter months.

Titus 2

Paul instructs Titus to teach sound doctrine and right behaviour consistent with the times and culture to the elders, women, young people and slaves. We are to renounce impiety and worldly passions, to live lives that are self-controlled upright and godly while we wait for Jesus.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Blackwood River WA
2014  E Byford
Holy and compassionate God when we seek you, our prayers are answered, we feel peace and internal happiness. You give us guidance and support so that we can be like sparkling jewels showing the excellence of lives lived with you and drawing others to seek you. Walk with us, pull us back to you and give us your calm and peace through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen. 

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