16 August 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 16 August 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 105: 1 – 22

The psalm praises God’s faithfulness. It praises creation a God’s love. This portion recalls the early story of Abraham through to Joseph being placed in charge of Pharaoh’s household.

2 Chronicles 28: 1 – 15

King Ahaz reigns for 16 years in Judah. He is not faithful to God. His kingdom is invaded by Aram (Syria). The people are taken to Damascus. Then Israel invades, kills thousands, takes booty and begins to take the people to Samaria but other God-fearing Israelis  argue that Israel as a nation is already guilty and at risk of punishment from God. The prisoners are reclothed, their belonging returned and they are escorted to Jericho.

Acts 17: 22 – 34

Paul addresses the Areopagus. He notes the Greeks are a religious people and tells them he saw the altar to the unknown God. He proclaims this God, the creator who made one ancestor from whom all humans come. God fashioned humans to seek God and to find God. In God we have our being. Greek poetry acknowledges that we are God’s offspring. God is not stuff and does not need stuff. God realises we are not informed and wants us to repent. Paul proclaims that Christ, the resurrected one will be our judge. Some scoff when Paul speaks of the resurrection; others believe. The council agrees they wish to hear more from him.

Collect for Morning Prayer

New Start
Mandurah Estuary WA 2014 L Osburn

God of everything seen and unseen, you built us for relationship and connection with you. In you we are given protection, restoration and a new start. Open our hearts and minds to you so that we fully experience the joy of being your children through Jesus Christ our Lord and redeemer. Amen.

Saturday 16 August 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 105: 23 – 45

The psalm continues to praise God’s faithfulness to the covenant and tells the story of the famine, Israel going to Egypt, the Exodus and the arrival in the Promised Land.

Song of Songs 3

The woman dreams about searching for her love and finding him. She again warns women everywhere not to awaken love until it is ready. She then describes Solomon the King on a litter coming out of the desert. There is a wonderful perfume surrounding the king. The opulence of his guard and carriage is magnificent and inlaid with love. She calls women to come and see Solomon crowned by his mother as on his wedding day.

Romans 11: 1 – 12

Paul appeals to all to offer themselves as a living sacrifice to God – to worship by being transformed and renewed. We are to be consistent in our love and honour for each other, to be joyful in our hope, patient in our suffering, pray consistently, be generous and hospitable and to bless our enemies.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Paperbark tree
Mandurah  Estuary WA 2014 L Osburn

Holy and mighty Lord, greater than any king, give us the will and zeal to seek you continually by prayers, openness to you, joy, patience and generosity, and to look forward to being transformed and renewed by you so that in all our days and all we do, we worship you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen