28 June 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 28 June 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 143 and 146

The psalmist is in hiding in a cave and sounds depressed yet, he is still reaching out to God; he is still trusting and obedient.

The next psalm is one of praise to God who is trustworthy – more than princes: more than mortals.

2 Chronicles 15

A prophet Azariah, comes to Asa the king and reminds him that while the people seek God and are faithful, God will be found, but if they abandon God he will also abandon them. Asa orders all the idols taken from the conquest be destroyed and orders all Judah to worship only God. Each person is to enter into a covenant with God. Those who do not are put to death. Even the king’s mother is removed from her position and the idol she had is destroyed. Asa though fierce, is true to God all his days.

Acts 13: 42 – 52

Paul and Barnabas leave the synagogue and as they go the people ask them to come again next Sabbath and preach. They do. Crowds gather and jealousy overtakes some of the Jews who dispute in an extreme way. Paul responds saying that it was only right they preach to the Jews first and if they reject their testimony they will go to the Gentiles to whom they are also sent. The Gentiles rejoice. Key Jewish community leaders are incited to persecute Paul and Barnabas and drive them from the city. They leave and go to Iconium filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Sheltered Caves
Cape Le Grand National Park WA
2014 L Osburn

Holy Lord you ask us to seek you and to trust you no matter our circumstances: hiding in a cave, ruling a nation or preaching your word. Keep our hearts and minds seeking you and open to you so that we can do your will and feel your spirit present in our lives and actions through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saturday 28 June 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 153 – 176

This portion of the psalm is a plea for preservation of life from someone who is devout “my soul keeps your decrees” and who admits he has gone astray.

Ezekiel 6

Ezekiel prophesies against the mountains. The altars and idols on them will be destroyed. Towns will be ruined and wasted. People will die by famine, sword and pestilence. Some will survive, scattered in other places and they will remember that the Lord did not threaten in a hollow way. They will know God is the Lord, the Almighty.

James 5

If you are rich and have defrauded people of their fair wages or rewards, be assured that God knows. It is as bad as being part of the crowd who had Jesus killed. For the rest, be patient – like a farmer that waits for the crop to grow- do not grumble about each other, have instead the endurance of Job. Be honourable and reliable: let your “Yes” be “Yes” and your “No” be “No”. If you are suffering, pray. If you are cheerful sing songs of praise. If you are ill, call for the elders and be anointed. Confess your sins to each other, pray for one another and be healed because the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.

Finally if any of you wanders from the truth and is brought back, then that friend has saved their soul from death.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Two roads
The old and new Eyre Highway across the Nullabor Plain
SA 2014 L Osburn

Holy and precious Lord, when we do the wrong thing or think we can go it alone without you we separate ourselves from you. Yet when we acknowledge our faults you always forgive us and restore us. Be with us as we reflect on this day and this week. Help us to bring to you those times we walked away so that we can be restored to your love and care and keep our lives safe within your compassion and love through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.