8 January 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 8 January 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalms 20 and 21: 1 – 7 (8 – 13)

The first psalm begins as a bidding prayer asking that the King’s prayers be heard and answered. God is the one in whom the community trusts, not men or chariots.

The second psalm takes this theme of the power being with God and the King’s dependence on God in all things.

Song of Songs 2: 8 – 17

The woman describes a spring visit using playful and luscious language to convey the meeting of the lovers.

John 5: 1 – 18

Jesus meets a man who is ill at the five-porticos spring baths. When the water agitates it is thought to have healing properties. Jesus asks him whether he wants to be made well. Jesus tells him to take up his mat and walk. He does so. The man is seen carrying his bed and confronted by a group of Jews who remind him it is unlawful to do work on the Sabbath. The man explains and cannot identify Jesus. Later he and Jesus meet at the temple. Jesus says, “See you have been made well! Do not sin anymore so that nothing worse happens to you” (v.14).

The healed man tells the group of Jews that it was Jesus and the persecution begins. Jesus says that his Father is still working so Jesus is also working. Thus these Jews want Jesus dead not only for breaking the rule of the Sabbath but also for claiming God as his father thus making himself equal to God.

Collect for Morning Prayer

There's looking and then there's really looking!
Mandurah Estuary WA 2014 L Osburn

God of healing, protection and love, you never cease loving and caring for us. You have no days off. Love us into action so that we fervently seek out those who need your love and healing and pray for your presence in their lives. For it is only your presence and your grace that restores through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Thursday 8 January 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 24 and 26

The Lord of hosts is the King of glory, is the focus of this psalm. The world and everything in it is God’s. Those who aspire to heaven are the pure and righteous.

The second psalm is from a person who is faithful and has integrity and who has been falsely accused. The psalm asks God to look inside and to bring redemption.

Song of Songs 3

The woman dreams about searching for her love and finding him. She again warns women everywhere not to awaken love until it is ready. She then describes Solomon the King on a litter coming out of the desert. There is a wonderful perfume and the opulence of his carriage and guard. She calls women to come and see Solomon crowned by his mother as on his wedding day.

Ephesians 4: 29 – 5: 5

Use our words to build each other up in grace. Put aside bitterness and wrath and wrangling and instead be kind to one another, forgiving and tender hearted. God has forgiven us therefore let us imitate God and forgive each other as God’s beloved children. Keep away for fornication, greed, silly talk, and instead give thanks. Be sure that no idolater (this means the greedy) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Black Swan and ducks
Mandurah Estuary WA 2014 L Osburn

God of transformations, you change us through your grace and mercy to be your people of love and peace. Like love, your grace opens our hearts to you and cannot be forced. All that there is is yours. Let us be open you, gentle with each other and with those who do not know you so that your grace may come on us all and build us so that we are all true inheritors of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.