22 July 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 22 July 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 51

This is a penitential psalm. It is a prayer of intense repentance. The psalmist asks for sins to be washed away, for the heart to be made clean, and to be restored to salvation. Sacrifice is not a burnt offering but a humble and contrite heart. The psalmist promises to teach others the ways of God so that they too can offer prayers and praise.

Amos 6: 8 – 7: 9

Amos’s message from God continues explaining that the destruction will be wrought on the whole territory of Israel. Great house will be shattered. God will not be available to them.

John 7: 1 – 13

Jesus goes about in Galilee. The disciples want to go to Judea to the festival of the Booths and for Jesus to convince others. Jesus says the timing is not right for him but the disciples are welcome to go to the festival.  Some days later Jesus follows in secret.

During the festival the Jews are searching for Jesus and he is getting mixed reviews though no one speaks openly about him out of fear.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Desert flowers
Head of the Bight SA 2014 L Osburn

Holy and almighty God, you love us for who we are, not who we would like to be or who the crowd thinks we are. Help us maintain a humble and contrite heart; to seek no glory except for you and to live our lives in such a way that others are drawn to you so that they pray and sing your praise through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday 22 July 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 52 and 53

This psalm is directly to and about an evil person – someone who plots and boasts about the mischief caused. It is a person who deceives and who does not take refuge in God. The psalmist warns that God will respond and the evil one will be humiliated.

The second psalm is about those who do not believe and who do evil. God’s response to them will be terrifying. The psalmist prays for the people to be delivered and for their fortunes to be restored.

Ezekiel 33: 21 – 33

Ezekiel prophesies that those who are warriors, those who are in the fields and those who hide in caves will all die.

People come to hear the prophet but treat him as an entertainer. They do not take his words seriously or change their lives. When the destruction comes, and it will come, then they will recognise that a prophet had been with them.

Romans 2: 1 – 11

When we judge others we need to take care since by our own standards we will be judged. God’s kindness and patience is there to lead us to repentance not to judging others. If we patiently do God’s work we be honoured but those who seek their own fame and seek evil will encounter fury. Glory and honour and peace await all who do good. God is impartial.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Gulls at rest: Sunset Streaky Bay SA
2014 L Osburn

Merciful and generous God, you want us to take your word and the messages of your prophets seriously, to love you first, to repent, to seek good, to be the peace we long to see, to show kindness and to be patient. Doing this honours you and enables others to take us seriously, rethink their lives and come to you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.