17 July 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 17 July 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 40

The psalmist praises God for responding to him in a time of need. People who trust in God are blessed. God is said to have opened the psalmist’s ears and the psalmist has found himself in the scriptures. Ongoing mercy, love and faithfulness are requested from God so that the psalmist can be supported through times of danger and harm. The psalm ends in praise.

Amos 3

Amos explains that all things are connected and God has shown the prophets that Israel will be destroyed with only tiny remnants remaining.

John 6: 1 – 15

Jesus goes to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and sees a great crowd of people following firstly because it was near Passover and secondly because they had heard of his healing. He shares a few barley loaves and fish among the crowd and all are fed with much left over.

Jesus goes further into the mountains alone when he realises the people want to make him King.

Collect for Morning Prayer

In the Karri Forest
Pemberton WA 2014 L Osburn

Generous and faithful God, you provide for your faithful people when we call on you. You have provided prophets and scripture and ultimately your Son for our guidance and salvation. Keep our eyes and ears open to you today so that we share what we have, know and can do so that more and more people benefit from the abundance of your love through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Thursday 17 July 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 42 and 43

The psalmist is sad, perhaps sick and longing to go to the temple since that is where God is thought to dwell. The psalmist’s soul longs for God.

Here the psalmist is ill and unable to travel to the temple.

Illness was thought to be evidence of separation from God. The psalmist asks that someone see that he is not unworthy and take him to the temple.

Ezekiel 21: 8 – 27 (28 – 32)

Ezekiel prophesies total destruction of Jerusalem and of the Ammonites. There is no way out now and the King will be deposed all that will be left is a ruin.

Galatians 6: 11 – 18

Paul signs off the letter in his own handwriting. Paul does not boast in how many converts he has made but only of the cross of Christ. Being circumcised or not, Jew or not, isn’t a relevant issue. What is relevant is the new creation won by Christ and from that comes peace and mercy for all. Paul does not want to be upset by disputes like those the Galatians have endured. He carries the marks of persecution for being Christian on his body, he knows the risks of being Christian. Paul blesses the Galatians.

Collect for Evening Prayer

The Lagoon Deniliquin at Sunset
NSW 2014 L Osburn

God of relationship and connection, we no longer need to seek you in a temple or in a holy city. Through your new creation you are available to us all wherever we call on you in humility, faith and praise. We need no more to fear separation from you since you are the God who comes to us. Be with us as we reflect on our day: how may we make it easier for others particularly those who are unwell to come to you and, how may we extricate ourselves from disputes that are not part of your new creation? Help us discern your will so that we may build and strengthen all your faithful people through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.