25 January 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Sunday 25 January 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalm 119: 97 – 104 

The psalmist expresses faith in God’s word – commitment to God and the law. The psalm also shows the effect of the scriptures on the psalmist through meditation, understanding and a guide for life.

John 4: 13 – 26

Jesus says to the Samaritan woman at the well that those who thirst and drink will be thirsty again but those who drink the living water Christ gives will have a spring of water that wells to eternal life. The woman asks for this water. Christ tells her to get her husband. She replies that she has none and Christ tells of her past pain and current situation. She recognises him as a prophet and discusses the controversy about where to worship God. Jesus says a time is coming when we will worship God in spirit and in truth – not on a hill or in a single city. She says she knows the messiah will come who will explain everything. Jesus reveals himself to her as Messiah. “I who speak to you am he” (v.26).

Collect for Morning Prayer

Fresh water spring
Cape Leeuwin WA 2014 L Osburn

Loving and nurturing God you give us your scriptures and your son to help us grow in knowledge of you and to be part of that eternal wellspring of your spirit. Be with us today and keep us ever thankful of your great gifts to us so that we proclaim through our words and actions your love for all through Jesus Christ our saviour and your Holy Spirit in our hearts, Amen.

Sunday 25 January 2015

Evening Prayer

Leviticus 19: 1 – 4 and 9 – 18

This is a set of ethical behaviours and the source of the injunction to love your neighbour. To be able to follow these first we are required to understand that we are holy just as God is holy – all of us.

The behaviours are: revere your parents, keep the Sabbath, reject idolatry, leave some of your produce available for the poor and aliens, don’t steal, mislead or lie, don’t make contracts in God’s name then break them, don’t defraud anyone. Pay workers on the day they do their work, treat deaf and blind with respect, be impartial in delivering justice, no slandering, no profiting from harm to others, don’t hate anyone – correct them – then do not hold a grudge and  “you shall love your neighbour as yourself” (v.17).

Psalm 33: 1-12

This psalm is a great hymn of praise to God citing evidence including creation, oversight of nations. God’s plans and purposes stay firm forever.

1 John 2: 12– 17

The writer addresses the whole community, the elders and the youth and acknowledges that their sins have been forgiven, their belief and faithfulness and their strength in overcoming evil.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Church volunteers
Mulwala NSW 2014 L Osburn

Holy and Almighty God, from the beginning your requirements are clear, to love you and to love others. Help us today to recognise those around us who are your faithful, steadfast and courageous people, to take the time to acknowledge them so that we all may be encouraged, supported, loved and built into your community of faith through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.