23 August 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 23 August 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 124, 125 and 126

If it had not been for the Lord the enemy forces would have attacked and overwhelmed us like a flood. Blessed be the Lord. Our help is in the name of the Lord.

Those who trust in God shall never be moved. God will surround and support us. The psalmist prays for blessing on the faithful and that evil be kept away from us.

When we are restored we are full of joy and praise and others notice that our God has done great things for us. So we ask to be restored, that those in tears reap joy and those who weep and sow seeds come back with an abundant harvest.

2 Chronicles 31: 17 – 32:8

Throughout Judah Hezekiah ensures the Levite families are provided for and supported. Judah prospers. King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah. Hezekiah encourages the people, builds walls and towers and strategically blocks the waters flow from the spring in Jerusalem out to the surrounding land.

Acts 20: 17 – 38

Paul stops his journey in Miletus and calls the elders of the church in Ephesus to meet him there. He summarises his ministry and indicates that he will not return, that death awaits him though he does not know where. He warns them of persecution and betrayal to come. He commissions them to be overseers, to shepherd the church. He asks them to be diligent and remember his own modelling – he worked day and night commending God to the people, to bring the message of God’s grace and to build people up. He paid his own way by working so that he too supported the weak and is blessed to do so.

Together they kneel, pray, grieve and go with Paul back to his ship.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Barnawatha to Rutherglen
VIC 2014 L Osburn

God of truth and reality, you tell us through history and scripture and your faithful apostles that hard and challenging times will come where we may be overwhelmed by enemies and surrounded by great invading forces. You also provide us with hope, faith, defence and you restore us. Be with us now in times of strife. Help us to be diligent in proclaiming your word, to bring the news of your grace to others and to build them up in faith and hope and love so that all may be supported and strengthened in their love for you through Jesus Christ our Lord and redeemer. Amen.

Saturday 23 August 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 127, 128 and 129

Unless the Lord is with us in what we do our labour is in vain. Rising early, working late and being anxious about things are not part of God’s plan.

Those who walk with God are blessed to have the freedom to eat our own produce, prosperity sufficient for women to be creative and children to flourish. It is a blessing to see our grandchildren.

God has preserved us from all assaults in the past. The psalmist asks that those who are enemies of God not prevail.

Tobit 1: 1 - 20

Tobit tells of his life of faith and charity even when taken into exile and placed in the service of Sennacherib. He tells too of being a fugitive after he was found to have buried the bodies of Jewish people killed by Sennacherib.

Romans 14: 1 – 12

Paul says we are to welcome those who are weak in spirit and not to judge them. If they believe they should abstain from certain foods or practices we need to respect them especially of they are focused on God. We must not judge them or despise them. If we live, we live to God and if we die, we die to God so there is no need to be worried about the differences in diet or dogma. Judgement is the Lord’s and before God we will all bow and give praise.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Reflections on the Ovens River
VIC 2014 L Osburn

God of blessing and compassion, you have given us this beautiful world to delight in and people with whom to share it. Be with us now as we reflect of our day. Show us the times where we were generous, where we supported and preserved others and encouraged them in their faith and practice so that we too can, by your grace, be strengthened and supported in bringing glory and honour to you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen