26 August 2014
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Tuesday 26 August 2014
Morning
Prayer
Psalms 137: 1 – 6 (7 –9); 138
The song of the exiles... “By the river of Babylon”.
The psalmist feels the pain and anguish of the destruction of Jerusalem and
worries about forgetting yet finding it impossible to sing.
The second psalm is a song of praise and deliverance
and ends with the psalmist faithfully claiming, “the Lord will fulfil his
purpose for me”.
2 Chronicles 32: 24 – 33:
Hezekiah become unwell, prays is given a sign but is
too proud to respond. Once Hezekiah repents his pride he heals. Envoys come
from Babylon to ask about what happened to Sennacherib’s army. This is a test
for Hezekiah and his heart. More of Hezekiah is written in other books of the
Bible. When he dies he is mourned by all and buried on the ascent to the tombs
of David in Jerusalem.
Acts 21: 15 – 26
Paul and the Christian Greeks come to Jerusalem. Paul
sees James and the elders and tells them all that has occurred. They tell him
the distortions of his work that have reached Jerusalem. Together they agree
that Paul and the Greeks will undertake a temporary rite of purification –
shaving their heads – so that the Jews know they obey the Law. James and the
elders say that the Gentiles who are believers are no to eat anything that has
been sacrificed to an idol, that is strangled nor are they to engage in
fornication. Paul and the men shave,
purify themselves and go to the temple thus making public the completion of
their purification and preparation for a sacrifice for them.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
Near Rutherglen Vic 2014 L Osburn |
Holy and faithful God, the only
sacrifice you want from us is humility before you and contrition. Praise and
thanksgiving, will as a result leap from within. At the start of this day help
us take this moment to be still before you, to feel your greatness and
compassion so that we may praise you deeply from our hearts through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Tuesday 26 August 2014
Evening
Prayer
Psalm 139
The psalmist loves, reveres and understands the
majesty and ever-presence of God. He wants to distance himself from anyone and
anything that is opposed to God – to actively step away. He appeals to God to
examine him, test him and lead him in the right way.
Tobit
4
Tobit
blind, gives his son Tobias thorough and comprehensive instructions for life
then charges him with the task of going to Gabael at Rages in Media to retrieve
his hidden wealth.
Romans 15: 1 – 13
Paul charges Christians to put up
with the failings of the weak. Christ came and not only put up with us but
suffered all insults. What was written in scripture is there to instruct Jews
and all nations, to encourage us and make us steadfast. Paul prays that God
will encourage us to live in harmony with each other. We are to welcome each
other so that as the scriptures say, all nations will confess God and sing
God’s praise. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in
believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (v.
13).
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Sailing Boat Fremantle Harbour WA 2014 L Osburn |
Steadfast and encouraging God, you
lead us through scripture, wise and faithful parents and through the example of
Christ. With your apostle Paul we ask you, God of hope, to fill us with all joy
and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy
Spirit through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
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