24 August 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Sunday 24 August 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 72

This psalm asks that the King be blessed. Justice, righteousness, prosperity for the people and production, defence of the poor and deliverance for the needy and oppressed are requested. May the king live long and be gentle. Peace, dominion, abundance, compassion are all in this appeal. The psalm ends praising and acknowledging the blessings of God who makes all things possible.

Matthew 16: 1 – 12

The Pharisees and Sadducees come to Jesus asking for a sign. Jesus replies the only sign they will have is Jonah’s which was a call to repentance since time is short. Jesus and the disciples leave.

The disciples become aware that they have brought no bread. Jesus warns them to beware the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The disciples misunderstand since their attention is on food and not on the message. Jesus helps them understand that the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees is like yeast: a little can grow and influence the whole mix.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Pastorale
Rutherglen Vic 2014 L Osburn

Holy Lord, you gave us Jesus your son the anointed one and our king to reconcile us all to you and to bring us to peace, compassion and abundance. Enable us today to recall and honour the abundance you provide, the love and the care that surrounds us and to infuse others with it so that like yeast your love and grace may transform us all through Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit, Amen.

Sunday 24 August 2014

Evening Prayer

Genesis 50: 15 – Exodus 1: 7

When Isaac dies, Joseph’s brothers are scared that he may not have forgiven them. They deliver the news of the death and say that Isaac asked Joseph to forgive them. Joseph cries with them, tells them that in his view what they did was part of God’s purpose and that he will ensure they and their families are provided for. Eventually Joseph dies is embalmed and the body kept for the day everyone returns to the land the Lord promised. The people 12 tribes stay in Egypt and flourish.

Psalm 138

This is song of praise and deliverance and ends with the psalmist faithfully claiming, “the Lord will fulfil his purpose for me”.

Romans 11: 28 – 36

Paul says that while the Jews might be enemies of the gospel they are and always will be God’s people. Through their disobedience people from other nations are now becoming God’s people too. Everyone, Jews and those form other cultures are and imprisoned in disobedience and God’s mercy frees them all.

Paul exclaims how rich the wisdom and knowledge of God is and how unfathomable. Paul honours and gives glory to God.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Sunset - not quite a burning bush
Near lake Moodemere Vic 2014 L Osburn

Reassuring and consoling God, you take us all as we are, you know everything we have done wrong and you can turn us to your good purpose. As we recall our lives, help us offer them to you so that you may shape and direct them to fulfil your purpose through Jesus Christ our Lord and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.