4 July 2014
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Friday 4
July 2014
Morning
Prayer
Psalms
11 and 12
The
psalmist disputes the claim one should run from enemies. The psalmist will
stand firm. He says that if the foundation collapses, then all are powerless.
The psalmist trusts in the Lord – the firm foundation.
The
psalmist laments the lack of faithful people. People make promises and are
unreliable. The poor and the needy suffer as a result but, the Lord is faithful
forever and pure.
2 Chronicles 20: 1 – 19
Jehosophat the King of
Judah receives word that a great army is coming towards his people. They are
from the lands God did not allow the Hebrews to overtake as they entered the
Promised Land. Jehosophat declares a fast, and with the people goes to the
temple to pray. A Levite, Jahaziel, says to the crowds to not fear, that the
battle is God’s. But to go to a pass called the
ascent of Ziz, and they will see the approaching army in the valley. They
are to stand still and watch God’s victory. They are not to fear or to be
dismayed. Everyone bows their faces to the ground worshipping God and then
praises God.
Acts 15: 12 – 21
Barnabas and Paul are in
Jerusalem talking with the leaders there. They tell of the signs and wonders
God has done with the people from other nations. When they finished James, the
brother of Jesus asks those assembled to recall past teaching and scripture
that says God will set things up for people from other nations to seek Him and
be called by His name. James then says that all that is required is that they
refrain from things polluted by idols, and fornication – rules set down by Noah
therefore covering all nations. Moses has people since he has
been read in every synagogue every Sabbath, that is not lost.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
The Great Australian Bight SA 2014 L Osburn |
God of the big picture, you see everything and your
plans are in place for us. We thank you that you have given us people of faith
through the ages who have stood firm; people who in times of trouble, look to
you first; people who read the scriptures and think about how they guide us
today in our decisions. And we thank you that you are a God who encourages us
to decide, to set laws and policies. Be with us today in all we do, so that we
doing your work bring your peace and glorify you through Jesus Christ your Son
our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Friday 4
July 2014
Evening
Prayer
Psalms
13 and 14
These
psalms are laments for personal deliverance from enemies and from a cynical
age. The psalmist remains faithful proclaiming God’s deliverance of Israel and
care for the poor.
Ezekiel 11: 1 – 4 (5 –
12) and 13 – 25
Ezekiel is prophesying
about the political state of affairs in Jerusalem, the future of those who are
not following the Lord’s way – they will die – and where God is since God left
the temple. God shows that he is not geographically limited but is everywhere
providing sanctuary to the people. For the faithful, God will remove their
heart of stone and replace it with a heart that follows God’s ordinances and
wants to be with God. Ezekiel has a vision of the spirit of going to be with
the exiles.
Galatians 1: 11 – 24
Paul tells the Galatians
then tells his story to verify his credibility. Paul was a persecutor of
Christians. But, he received his gospel direct from a revelation of Christ. He
did not go to Jerusalem to learn the gospel from the people there. Instead it
was three years before he went there. When he eventually went to Jerusalem
Peter (Cephas in Aramaic) and Jesus’s brother James were the people he met and
only for a fortnight. Paul comes with the direct knowledge from Jesus.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Safe Harbour Fremantle WA 2014 L Osburn |
God of every place, we thank you for your presence
and your gift of a soft heart: a heart for you alone. Help us at the end of
this week to feel your presence and feel your sanctuary so that we, restored
and refreshed by your love and grace may stand firm with joy in the face of a cynical
world through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit
in our hearts. Amen.
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