20 January 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 20 January 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalm 48

This psalm praises Mt Zion City of God its walls and grandeur. Moreover, it is the place where God can be found and kings approaching fall and fail once they recognise God dwells here. In the temple the people ponder God’s steadfast love and praise God’s name throughout the earth. The psalmist tells us to come to the holy city, walk around; go into the citadels so that we can tell our children and their children that this God, our God will be our guide forever.

Genesis 7

Noah is instructed to take into the ark his household, 7 pairs of all clean animals and one pair of all unclean animals from the earth. The rain falls for forty days and nights. The earth is covered with water. All living things that take breath die. The waters inundate the earth for 150 days.

John 8: 1 – 11

Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives. Next morning he goes to the temple. He begins to teach. The Scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery and ask Jesus whether she should be stoned according to Mosaic Law. Jesus draws with his finger in the dirt before answering. They pester him for an answer so he stands. He challenges them to throw a stone if they themselves are sin free. He lowers himself again and draws again in the dirt. One by one, elders first they go away. Jesus stands and asks where did they go and is there no one left to condemn her? She says no. He will not condemn her either and she is to go and sin no more.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Tumbling roses
Harrietville Victoria
2015 L Osburn

Steadfast and loving God you are the one who other rulers and those who would want to judge approach in challenge and fail.  Open our hearts and minds and souls to you so that we, like Christ are calm in the face of judgement. Help us tell our children how wonderful you are, that you forgive us, redeem us and heal us through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday 20 January 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 49

This is a riddle psalm / song.

Bow down everyone everywhere. Why should we worry about persecutors, the wealthy? No one can live forever. The wise and foolish die too. All possessions are left to others. Mortals can’t abide all the pomp of life – we will die. Those who are pleased with their lot will die. But God will ransom my soul and receive me.

Don’t be afraid when someone becomes richer and they are happy in their life. They and they ancestors will be gone. Mortals can’t abide all the pomp of life – we will die.

Jeremiah 5: 18 – 31

God promises not to entirely destroy the people but because they served foreign gods in their own land, they will serve strangers in a land not their own. Jeremiah is to ask the foolish people who have eyes and ears and do not use them. Do they not fear the Lord who created everything? The people are stubborn and fail to acknowledge God who brings rain in its season and harvests. Instead there are scoundrels who trap people, who are unjust. They do not care for orphans and widows or defend the rights of the needy.

It is appalling what’s happening in the land. The prophets prophesy falsely and the priests follow what they say. The people love it that way but what will they do when the end comes?

Colossians 3: 12 – 17

With fellow believers we are to clothe ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. We are to bear with each other, forgive and bind to each other in love. We are to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, be thankful, teach with wisdom, sing with gratitude and praise and do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ giving thanks to God through Him.

Collect for Evening Prayer

In the garden
Harrietville Victoria 2015 L Osburn

Gracious and loving God you have given us a world to live in that is beautiful. Hold us now as we consider our day and remember when we exercised compassion, kindness, meekness and patience so that we, acknowledging your work in us, can give thanks, sing with gratitude and continue to be open to your rule in our hearts and live our lives in your name through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.