2 August 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 2 August 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 77

The psalmist is deeply distressed, not sleeping at night, feels alienated from God and wonders whether God has gone. He decides to remember all the blessings of the past and the evidence of God’s enduring protection. He ceases moaning and instead gives thanks.

Hosea 5: 5 – 6: 3

Hosea prophesies the destruction of Israel, Ephraim and Judah since they have been faithless. God is compared to a young lion who comes, tears, carries off and then goes to a hidden place where no on can rescue. Hosea counsels the people to return to God who will heal.

Hosea says that God has struck, and after two days will revive again and on the third day he will raise up. Hosea says keep seeking God and know that like dawn or like refreshing spring rains he will surely come.

John 10: 19 – 39

The Jews want Jesus to reveal that he is the Messiah. Jesus says he already has and they don’t believe him.

His works show he is. Those who don’t believe are not his. He then says, “The Father and I are one” (v. 30). The Jews prepare to stone him. He challenges them on the basis of his works and scripture.

If people don’t believe in Jesus, that is fine, believe in his works so that you eventually know that Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Jesus.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Desert to the Southern Ocean
Eucla WA 2014 L Osburn

God of blessings through the ages you have given us more that we can comprehend and still we cannot fully recognise you and your works. Keep us open to seek you, so that we awake and feel your presence like refreshing spring rain through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saturday 2 August 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 78: 1 – 15

The psalmist encourages people to tell the stories of God and his relationship with the people to their children, in parables, the old sayings, the history, decrees and miracles so that they will not be stubborn or rebellious.

Ezekiel 47: 1 – 12 and 48: 30 – 35

In Ezekiel’s vision the messenger shows him streams of water coming up from below the temple and flowing out in 3 directions. Where the water grows it heals and restores. Crops and trees flourish.

There is an instruction about the gates of the city named for the each of the houses of Israel. The City itself is called “the Lord is there”.

Romans 6: 12 – 23

Paul uses the analogy of slavery. We were once slaves to sin and now are freed. So if we become obedient to Christ we become instead slaves to righteousness. We focus not on sin, which leads to death but on righteousness and the reward of sanctification and eternal life.

Blackwood River WA
2014 L Osburn

Collect for Evening Prayer

God of relationship and connection, where you are is the source of living, healing water. Strengthen us to read, remember and share the stories of your relationship with people of faith, so that we enable our children and ourselves to focus on you and come to eternal life through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.