12 January 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 12 January 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalm 33

This psalm is a great hymn of praise to God citing evidence including creation, oversight of nations, strength beyond that of people or war-horses, the steadfast love that delivers our souls from death. The psalm ends saying our souls wait for the Lord, our hearts are glad because we trust and with an appeal for God’s steadfast love to be with us.

Genesis 1: 1-19

In the beginning there is God and a vast emptiness from which all things are created beginning with light, which is distinct from darkness both of which are good: we call that day one. The earth, a formless mass is divided into water and atmosphere: we call that day two. The water is separated so that land appears which bears vegetation – seed and fruit plants: we call that day three. Next God produces the sun, the moon and the stars all of which bring separation between day-time and night-time, months, seasons and years: we call that day four.

John 6: 28– 40

When asked, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus replies that we must believe in the one whom God has sent. The people ask for a sign – like the manna produced for Moses. Jesus clarifies for them that the signs are God’s not Moses’. God gives the true bread from heaven. The bread of God comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. The people clamour for this bread. Jesus says, “I am the bread of life”. Jesus makes it clear that he is the sign yet they still do not believe. Jesus says he has come down from heaven to do God’s will, to save those who come to him and give them eternal life and be raised up on the last day.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Great Australian Bight and the Southern Ocean
SA 2014 L Osburn

 God of all in all, our souls are only calm when we trust in you. We long for you. Yet you have come. We still scrabble for signs and certainties and proofs. But you are already here. Open our eyes, ears, minds and hearts to you so that we come to you and acknowledge you as the bread of heaven giving life to the entire world through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Monday 12 January 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 31

This powerful psalm is on the theme of taking refuge in God and has the words “Into your hand I commit my spirit”. The second part asks for God’s grace and the final part praises God and encourages us to love the Lord, “be strong and let your heart take courage” (v. 24).

Jeremiah 1

The chapter introduces Jeremiah and his humble report of his commissioning by God. It reports first that God checks what he was seeing – a branch of an almond tree. Then God sends the first vision of a boiling pot tipping away from the north. God explains that turmoil is about to be poured on the land from the north. Jeremiah is to stand up and tell the nations what God commands him to say and God promises personal fortification and protection for Jeremiah in this task.

Colossians 1: 1 – 8

Paul begins by greeting the faithful in Colosse. Paul says how he gives thanks and praise to God always for the faithful Colossians. He reports that the gospel is growing and bearing fruit everywhere, just as it has been in Colosse. He commends Epaphras to them as a faithful minister who has told Paul of the Colossians love in the Spirit.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Taking off
Mandurah estuary WA 2014 L Osburn

Commissioning and protecting God we thank you for your faithful people of every age who understand that by your grace they are chosen before their birth to commit their souls to you, do your will, and do so courageously. Help us this night to commit our souls into your hands so that we too may faithfully serve you in love and in your Spirit all the days of our lives through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.