27 June 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 27 June 2014 

Morning Prayer   

Psalm 140

This psalm is an appeal to be delivered from personal enemies – from violent people and those who stir things up, those who speak ill, are arrogant and make evil plots. The psalmist is confident in God’s care.

2 Chronicles 14

Abijah the king dies and his son Asa is his successor. Asa commands Judah to be faithful to God and gets rid of all places where people might worship idols or other gods. The kingdom lives in peace. A huge army comes against them from the direction of Egypt. Asa calls for God’s assistance and although greatly outnumbered the army of Judah wins.

Acts 13: 26 – 41

Paul, in the synagogue in Antioch continues to tell the story of Jesus. He says that the people of Jerusalem did not understand what Jesus was saying and did not recognise who he was and so fulfilled all the prophesies. Though he had committed no wrong they had him killed.

His resurrection was foretold in the scriptures and Paul quotes the texts.

He proclaims that through this man forgiveness of sins is possible in a way not possible through the Law of Moses. He then quotes Habakkuk and tells those who scoff to be amazed for in their day unbelievable things will be done.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Three black swans
Mandurah Estuary WA 2014 L Osburn

Great and wonderful God the scriptures tell of your protection to us individually, and they tell of your protection from vast armies and more your conquest of sin so that we may all be forgiven. Fill us now with your joy and peace so that we may go confidently into your world secure in your love protection and power to do your will through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Friday 27 June 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 141, 142

Both psalms are pleas to be delivered from personal enemies. The first includes a willingness to be justly corrected by the righteous. The psalmist asks to be assisted to not engage in retaliation of the evil so that the enemies realise the psalmist was not only correct but also gentle. In the second psalm things have not gone well for the psalmist and the pleas for deliverance demonstrate faithfulness.

Ezekiel 5

Ezekiel receives and interprets the message from God that Jerusalem will be punished for forsaking God and rebelling against the statutes. One third will die of disease and famine, one third will be killed in the fighting and one third will flee and be pursued. Jerusalem, the great city at the centre of everything will become a mockery, a horror and a taunt. Such is God’s fury against them.

James 4

James outlines the challenges of being godly and living in the world. Conflict and harm come because we want something and cannot have it. We have either not asked for it or we ask wrongly because we are going to use it for ourselves – our own wants and not God’s purposes.

James likens this to adultery – we are cheating on God. God yearns jealously for the spirit he made that dwells in us and he gives us grace when we are humble, not arrogant and not seeking our own cravings. So seek God, be humble, repent and evil will flee. Don’t judge others.

Instead of thinking, “Tomorrow I’ll got to someplace and start a new venture”, think instead, “If the Lord wishes we will….” Put everything you do before God first for we are fragile and temporary in this world.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Lone sea gull Fremantle WA
2014 L Osburn

Loving generous God, you know that things are tough and challenging in this world. Help us to seek you first in everything we encounter, all the opportunities and all the hardships so that we go with you and the power of your Holy Spirit to do your will and serve your purposes through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.