30 June 2014
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Monday 30
June 2014
Morning
Prayer
Psalms
148 and 149
These
two psalms call on every part of creation to praise and glorify God. Parts call for dance and celebration of
victories over enemy nations.
2 Chronicles 16
Asa is in his 36th
year of his reign over Judah when the king of Israel begins to build a fortress
at Ramah to stop people entering or exiting Judah. Asa makes an alliance with
the king of Syria who attacks the cities of Israel from behind. The building
stops and Asa and his people take the building materials and use them to
fortify their own cities.
The seer Hanani comes to
the king and rebukes him for relying on his own political strategy and not on
God. Hanani prophesies that the kingdom will now have wars. Asa puts Hanani in
stocks and imprisons him.
Asa becomes ill and
consults physicians and not God. He dies in his 41st year of reign.
Acts 14: 1 – 7
In Iconium Paul and
Barnabas again preach at the synagogue and many people become believers
including Gentiles. The unbelievers stir up both the Jews and the Gentiles so
that the city becomes divided: Jews versus Apostles. Those opposed to the
apostles, both Jews and Gentiles plan to stone Paul and Barnabas. The two hear
and escape to Lycaonia where they continue proclaiming the good news.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
Mother and Joey: Kangaroo in the morning Armadale WA 2014 L Osburn |
Wonderful and almighty God, you are to be praised and
glorified. You are the one who seeks out our hearts, knows our true level of
faith in you and you provide for us the way through troubled times. Give us the
wisdom this week to pray and ask for your help first in all we do so that you
guide our choices and our strategies for your purpose and for your glory through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Monday 30 June 2014
Evening
Prayer
Psalms
144 and 150
The
first psalm is of a king who has prepared for war, he calls on God to be the
strong deliverer. He expresses humility not just for himself but all people,
asks for God to be with them in routing the enemy. The psalmist will sing
praises, the youth and the land will flourish, there will be peace and all
happiness will be restored once the battle is won.
The
last psalm is of joyful and exuberant praise – instruments, dancing. “Let
everything that breathes praise the Lord” (v6).
Ezekiel 7: 1 – 9 (10 –
21) 22 - 27
Ezekiel’s prophesy of the
destruction of Jerusalem and all her people by sword, pestilence and famine.
Even the temple will be profaned. There is no way out the end has already begun
and it is all due to disloyalty and worshipping idols and allowing others to do
so.
Titus 1
Paul gives Titus
instructions on the way in which he is to build the church in Crete – his
careful selection of elders and their characteristics and a bishop. He is to
silence those who reject the truth, operate on myths and do not work well with
the local people. People with pure hearts will see the good in others but the
corrupt will think nothing is pure. Some will even profess to love God but act
in ways that deny their belief – they fail to do good.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Looking to the hills Near Port Augusta SA 2014 L Osburn |
All-powerful God, you are the great one and we are
right to praise you. Keep us praising you. Make our lives songs of praise to
you. Keep us seeking you in our lives. Keep us by your side so that we have
pure hearts, see the good in others, do your will and act in ways that show
your love and your compassion for all through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.
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