3 July 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 3 July 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 9

This psalm is a song of thanks and praise for the demise of past enemies and the eternal presence of God. The Lord is the security for oppressed people and that means individuals too. The psalmist moves to a prayer for individual help. The psalm ends asking God to “let the nations know that they are only human” (v.20).

2 Chronicles 18: 28 – 19: 11

Ahab, the King of Israel and Jehosophat the King of Judah go to war with Ramoth-gilead. Ahab disguises himself for the is aware of the prophesy that he will die in this battle. The enemy charioteers’ mission is to target the King of Israel. They come at Jehosophat then recognise their error and turn. Someone else in the battle looses an arrow and it hits Ahab who dies.

Jehospohat returns, fortifies the cities and towns, appoints judges and warns them to fear God, take care in their judgements, be impartial, not pervert justice and not to take bribes. He sets up the judges in Jerusalem with the chief priest in charge for matters of the Lord and a governor in charge for matters of the King. The Levites serve as officers to the judges.

Acts 15: 1 – 11

Paul and Barnabas in are in Antioch and some people come from Judea and say that unless the people of other nations are circumcised according to Mosaic Law they cannot be saved. They debate with Paul and Barnabas who decide to go to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas are welcomed. The people promoting the new rule are Pharisees who are Christians.

After considerable discussion Paul addresses them all and says that he was selected by God to take the message to the other nations. God knows the human heart, God cleanses their spirits, gives them the Holy Spirit and doing so makes no distinction between them and us. So this requirement, to obey Mosaic Law, which the circumcised Jews cannot fulfil anyway, is putting God to the test. We believe that we will be saved through the grace of Jesus and so will all people.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Morning sun through the leaves
Armadale WA 2014 L Osburn

God of anti-oppression, our hearts fill with joy remembering that you are not on the side of oppressive rulers, corrupt judicial systems or laws that no-one can fulfil – even if the laws are good. Instead you are the God of grace, salvation and life. Help us to be humble today and extend to others the grace we have from you so that we too can stand with you against oppression through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Thursday 3 July 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 10

The psalm begins describing how arrogant wicked people are: how they think God does not see them and that they can get away with anything. But God does see. God will hear the meek and give them strength and provide justice for the orphans and oppressed so that people on earth will “strike terror no more” (v.18).

Ezekiel 10

Ezekiel explains in detail his vision of God and God’s departure from the temple in Jerusalem.  It is an overwhelming vision of “the Glory of the Lord”. There is smoke and great light and God begins to go, stops a moment then leaves.

God leaves the temple.

Galatians 1: 1 – 10

Paul’s letter to the Galatians begins strongly telling them that they are have been led astray and the gospel he proclaimed to them is the correct message. He then tells his story to verify his credibility – Peter (Cephas in Aramaic) and Jesus’s brother James were the people he met in Jerusalem. Paul is the one who was the persecutor and who now proclaims the faith he once tried to destroy.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Evening Streaky Bay SA
2014 L Osburn

God of eternal patience, you know we go astray we can be arrogant and think no one will see. We run after other prizes and rewards and our heads can be turned from you by a skilled sales-pitch. Yet by grace you forgive us when we turn to you. You come to us in our hearts. Never leave us Lord we pray. Guide us, send us right teachers, forgive us, bring us back to you so that we may experience your peace, do your will and celebrate your glory through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.