Tuesday 20 January 2015

21 January 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 21 January 2015
Morning Prayer

Psalm 50

Almighty God who rules over the entire planet rebukes the people and explains that God does not need sacrifices of animals. God already owns all the creatures and plants of the earth. God instead requires thanksgiving and praise.

For those who do evil, slander others and hate discipline they have no right to recite the commandments.
“Mark this, then you who forget God” (v.23). Those who bring thanksgiving honour God and those who go the right way, God will save.

Genesis 8

God sends the wind, stops the rain and the water springing from the ground. The ark comes to rest. Mountaintops emerge. Noah sends out a raven, which flies back and forth until the waters recede. He sends out a dove. The dove returns. On her second flight she brings back an olive leaf. On the third flight, she does not return. Noah begins to remove the covers from the ark, finds that the earth is dry and releases the animals. Noah uses some of the clean animals for a sacrifice on a new altar. The lord promises never again to destroy humans and animals as the flood has done.

John 8: 12 – 20

Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (v. 12). The Pharisees dispute with him that this assessment is not valid. Jesus says that because he knows his origins and what is to come, even if this is a self-assessment, it is valid. God, his father is his witness.

Collect for Morning Prayer


Crested Pigeon
Lake Mulwala NSW 2014 L Osburn
Holy and loving God we give you thanks and praise for our world and all its creatures. Guide us today to love and care for your world and to love and care for all its people so that we, walking in the light of Christ may through our example and testimony bring others to life and light in you through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.




Wednesday 21 January 2015
Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 41 – 64

The earth is full of God’s steadfast love and the psalmist wants to be taught and affirmed and encouraged in understanding and living by God’ statutes. Through this the psalmist will have the words to say to those who taunt and the confidence to give testimony to kings. The psalmist identifies all the ways the commandments and statutes of the Lord enrich life.

Jeremiah 6: 1 –15

Jeremiah tells people to flee the oncoming catastrophe. The city will be punished and destroyed for its wickedness, oppression and hypocrisy. The people are unable to hear or heed the warning and they find God’s word offensive. People are greedy, including the prophets and priests. They wish each other peace but oppress and are not ashamed of their conduct.

Colossians 3: 18 – 4: 6

In these instructions of how we behave with each other God’s rule comes first. There is no instruction to be obedient to others who act sinfully or use harm against us. Those in position of power are to show love and mercy and know that God will pay back wrongs done, impartially.

When we work, we are to work as if we are working for God. Our real reward and inheritance is from God.

We are to pray, give thanks, pray for Christians who are in prison on account of their faith, conduct ourselves wisely and be efficient, speak graciously to others in thoughtfully, informed not flowery ways.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Rutherglen Victoria
2014 L Osburn
Lord of mercy and grace we give you thanks and praise for your gifts of love. Keep our hearts, eyes and ears open to you so that we may never be intimidated but show your love, mercy and respect for all especially the vulnerable and oppressed through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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