23 June 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 23 June 2014 

Morning Prayer   

Psalms 124, 125 and 126

If it had not been for the Lord the enemy forces would have attacked and overwhelmed us like a flood. Blessed be the Lord. Our help is in the name of the Lord.

Those who trust in God shall never be moved. God will surround and support us. The psalmist prays for blessing on the faithful and that evil be kept away from us.

When we are restored we are full of joy and praise and others notice that our God has done great things for us. So we ask to be restored, that those in tears reap joy and those who weep and sow seeds come back with an abundant harvest.

2 Chronicles 10

Solomon is dead and Rehoboam becomes king. The tribes of Israel outside of Judah come to him and request that the load of service they are required to give the king be lessened. Rehoboam first consults the elders who counsel leniency and he next consults the younger advisers who counsel increasing the harsh treatment. He chooses to be harsh. The kingdom splits so that he only has control of the cities and towns of Judah.

Acts 12: 1 – 11

Herod Agrippa begins persecuting the church and has James the brother of John killed. He has Peter arrested intending to kill him too. Peter in prison is in chains with two soldiers in the cell and two guarding outside. He wakes to see an angel of the Lord (he thinks it is a dream). The angel tells him to get up quickly, fasten his belt, put on sandals and his cloak and follow the angel. They move through the prison and through an iron gate that self-opens. When they are safely out in a lane the angel leaves him.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Cloud that looks like an angel
Albany WA 2014 L Osburn

Great protective Lord, you surround us with support and love and care. You send blessings and sometimes your messengers to us to help us through difficult times and bring us to safety. Keep us in your grace this day and guide all we do so that all we abundantly praise you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Monday 23  June 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 127, 128 and 129

Unless the Lord is with us in what we do our labour is in vain. Rising early, working late and being anxious about things are not part of God’s plan.

Children are God’s gift to a family.

Those who walk with God will benefit from the work of their hands and have strong families. The psalmist blesses us all that we may see our grandchildren.

God has preserved us from all assaults in the past. The psalmist asks that those who are enemies of God not prevail.

Ezekiel 1: 1 – 21

Ezekiel has a vision that includes symbols of God’s glory: intelligence, mobility, strength and all seeing. It is a vision of the glory of God.

James 1: 1 – 18

When we face trials we are to rejoice because testing our faith produces endurance. We are to strengthen our faith and choose faith over doubt – to be consistent. Let us boast in being raised up when we are lowly. Let us remember that temptation comes from our own desires and can give birth to sin. So we are blessed when we endure temptation.

Generous acts of giving are from God and we, like the first fruits of the harvest give our selves back to God to fulfil his purpose.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Sculpture Esperance Foreshore WA
2014 L Osburn

All-powerful and all-knowing God our lives are truly and fully blessed when we live them with you. Be with us today in everything we do so that we stride over temptation dodge sin, act generous and feel that wonderful raising up of our hearts through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.