29 July 2014
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Tuesday 29
July 2014
Morning
Prayer
Psalm
69: 1 – 16
This
psalmist is a lowly servant of the Lord and through zeal has done something
that causes him to be the butt of jokes and ridicule. The psalmist is fasting
and in sackcloth. He pleads for deliverance and praises God.
Hosea 2: 1 – 13
Israel is the one who is
going after other Gods and who believes all wealth and prosperity comes from
that exchange. In reality it is God who provides the goods and wealth that
Israel thinks comes from worshipping the Baals. Hosea prophesies humiliation
unless Israel turns back to God.
John 8: 48 – 59
Jesus’s words in the temple
challenge the Jews who are listening and seek to stone him. He tells them: he
honours God and they do not honour him, not that he seeks his own glory, only
God’s; those who keep his word will not taste death – and they scoff asking is
he greater than all the prophets and patriarchs who have died? They ask who
does he claim to be and he answers, God will glorify him. Jesus knows God and
does his will. He also says that Abraham rejoiced that he would see Jesus.
Finally Jesus says “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am” (v.58).
Collect for
Morning Prayer
At the end of our country, at the end of a pier at the end of its life, a lookout to aid and shelter the sea birds Eucla The Old Pier WA 2014 L Osburn |
Life-giving
God, we are in awe of your presence, your provision for us and your promise of
life eternal. Assist us today to respect those we meet, listen to their
concerns, to be faithful to you without being over zealous and if we make an
error, give us your grace to repent so that our lives bring you glory and
honour through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Tuesday 29 July
2014
Evening
Prayer
Psalm
69: 17 – 23 (24 – 30) 31 - 38
The
psalmist praises the Lord and is suffering from insults and dishonour. When he
goes for counsel and support the response is bitter, and heart-breaking – no
real compassion. The psalmist is very angry, he wants God’s wrath to destroy and
punish, but he leaves that anger with and for God. The psalmist praises God,
who unlike a God in the form of a bull, will listen. The psalmist ends in
praise and a plea to God to come quickly.
Ezekiel 37: 1 – 14
Ezekiel has the vision of
the valley of dry bones. God tells him to prophesy to the bones. Through the
prophecy the bones, sinews, flesh and skin are reconstituted. Until Ezekiel
prophesies to the breath they are not alive. With the breath they live and
stand.
God explains the vision
that this is Israel, cut off, dismembered and dried-up. They will be returned
to their own soil and God’s spirit will be put in them and they will live.
Romans 4: 13 – 25
Paul discusses Abraham’s faith
that he had before there was the Law. Abraham trusted God and was convince God
would do as promised – including that he would be the father of many even when
he and his wife were old. Abraham’s faith was the key to Abraham’s
righteousness. Faith in Christ likewise will be reckoned to us as
righteousness.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Eucalypt in the setting sunlight Eucla WA 2014 L Osburn |
Life-giving spirit, you listen to us and carry
our burdens of sorrow, loss and anger. Be with us as we reflect on our lives
and our world. Remind us that renewal and repair is possible with your spirit
so that we may step out in faith secure in the knowledge that you always listen
and fulfil your promises through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
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