26 June 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 26 June 2014 

Morning Prayer   

Psalms 137: 1 – 6 (7 – 9) and 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 finds 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”.

2 Chronicles 13

Abijah, Rehoboam’s son becomes king after his father’s death. He mounts a battle against Jeroboam (who made himself king of Israel) from whom the Levites and priests had fled. Abijah, before the battle, proclaims that Judah has kept faith with God while Israel has turned to worthless idols. Abijah calls on God’s aid in the battle and even though Jeroboam’s army surrounds Judah’s warriors, Judah prevails and the kingdom Israel and Judah are reunited.

Acts 13: 13 – 25

Paul and his company continue their journey. John returns to Jerusalem. In Antioch, the officials of the synagogue ask them to speak. Paul does so and gives a brief history of the Israelites from the exodus to David, the prophecy about Jesus and the work and testimony of John the Baptist.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Torndirup National Park looking over King Georges Sound
WA 2014  L Osburn

God of steadfast love, you support us through times of exile and times of war, times of loss and grief so great that we cannot sing. When we stand loyally and faithfully with you, your purpose is fulfilled in us. As we begin this new day, bring us and keep us by your side so that we experience your purpose fulfilled in us and rejoice through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Thursday 26 June 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.

Ezekiel 4

God’s instructions to Ezekiel point to the coming siege of Jerusalem where there will be food rationing and limited water supply for the people.

James 3

James writes that not many of us should be teachers because what we say is small but powerful – like a rudder on a ship, like a bridle for a horse or like a small flame in a forest – and we will be judged with greater strictness.

If we are speaking it needs to be peaceable, gentle, willing to yield mercy and to bless – there can be no curses or arrogance. A water source cannot produce fresh and brackish water; a fig tree cannot also produce olives. Whether we are teachers or not we need to speak wisely, with understanding and gentleness because it reveals our heart and the truth of who we are.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Water wheel Cape Leeuwin WA
2014 L Osburn

Loving God you love us and want us to live in peace and gentleness with each other. We want that too and we want to distance ourselves from anything that is opposed to you. Be with us now as we reflect on our actions today. Help us see the times when we responded with peace, gentleness mercy and blessing even though the circumstances were tough. Strengthen us to continue to do that so that we show ourselves to be yours consistently through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.