21 July 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 21 July 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 50

The psalm describes God coming to judge the people. The sacrifice required is thanks and prayer not burnt offerings. Those who do evil yet speak the commandments will be judged. Those who give thanks will be saved.

Amos 5: 18 – 6: 7

Amos’s message from God to those who come to seek him in this time is – it is all too late. Justice is going to rain on them and righteousness like a flowing river. They are about to be destroyed and exiled. They are not behaving better than any neighbouring country; they have set up and worship other Gods.

John 6: 52 – 71

This is a hard passage.  At the temple are burnt sacrifices that do up in smoke and flesh and blood sacrifices. The flesh ones are used as food. Jesus explains that in the life that endures, the life of faith, we need nourishment. That comes from the real life and sacrifice of Jesus. The strength of our belief comes through his blood at the crucifixion. We need to believe that he is God come to earth and God crucified for us. This flesh, this blood is what we need to assimilate, to take in so that we can be nourished and grow in faith.

If we get caught up is the idea of cannibalism we will miss the message as some did and some walked away from discipleship.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Narrow Path
Albany WA 2014 L Osburn

Holy and merciful God, you have sent your own Son as our living sacrifice. Through Christ we have your Word, your life and your Holy Spirit. We thank you and praise you for this most precious gift. Help us to be faithful to you and also to recognise your presence in every other human no matter the circumstance. Christ died for me, and for all. We thank you that you have given us this way out of total destruction through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and redeemer. Amen.

Monday 21 July 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 41 – 64

This section of the psalm reveals a faithful and disciplined believer who expresses trust and confidence in God through times of persecution. The psalmist asks for the word of truth to speak to those who taunt.

Ezekiel 33: 1 – 20

Ezekiel gives God’s message as follows: if a prophet gives a warning and the people do not respond, the people bear the fault; if the prophet fails to warn, the prophet bears the fault; if righteous people do something wrong and do not repent they will be found to be at fault and; the bad people who repent will be saved.

Romans 1: 26 – 32

When people exchange God for idols and other notions they lead themselves into all sorts of dreadful behaviours: exploitative, violent, deceitful, haughty, boastful and heartless. And others applaud them.

Collect for Evening Prayer

The Travellers's Cross Eucla WA
2014 L Osburn

Merciful God, you know our world and have suffered at the hands of the world. Keep our hearts and minds and souls focused on you. Enable us to hear your word, understand your love and the message of Christ so that we all turn our faces to you, repent and become your faithful and disciplined people through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.