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.
No comments:
Post a Comment