10 February 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 10  February 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalms 92 and 93

In the first psalm God’s faithfulness and steadfast love is praised. On this occasion enemies have failed in some other place and are no more. Everything has been restored. The righteous people prosper.

In the second psalm God’s greatness is praised – more powerful than floods, more powerful than the seas. God’s commandments are sure and God lives in holiness.

Genesis 24: 22 – 49

The servant puts the bracelets and a nose ring of gold on the young woman. He asks whose daughter she is. She replies Bethuel son of Milcah and Nahor. She offers him a place for the camels and a room for the night. The servant bows and worships God giving thanks since he is exactly where he should be with his master’s relatives. The girl runs home, tells her mother and the household. Her brother Laban hurries to the spring, welcomes the man to their home and arranges for the camels to be fed and for everyone’ s feet to be washed. Food is provided but the servant will not eat until he tells the entire story. He asks whether the girl may return, yes or no so that the servant knows where to go next.

Luke 4: 16 – 30

Jesus goes to Nazareth, the town where he was brought up. On the Sabbath he goes to the synagogue. He is handed the scroll of Isaiah to read from, chooses a passage then sits to teach. The passage talks about being anointed with the Spirit of the Lord to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for prisoners, recovery of sight to the blind and release to the oppressed. In his teaching he says this passage of scripture is fulfilled – today, in your hearing. At this point he is praised and people are amazed confirming isn’t this Joseph’s son?

Then Jesus starts the conversation saying that they might expect him to do these things in Nazareth and Israel, focusing on him. He talks about past prophets who though there was great strife at home and in the land: famines and leprosy were sent to restore individuals in Sidon or Syria.

The people become outraged. They do not allow him to continue. Instead they drive him out of town and threaten to throw him off the cliff. Jesus instead walks through the crowd and on his way.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Cape Leeuwin Western Australia
Looking across the Indian Ocean towards Africa.
2014 L Osburn

Holy Lord of Spirit and truth you protect us, guide us where we need to be and teach us if we are open to you. Grant that we may sufficiently accept your anointing grace that we take our place in proclaiming your good news, bringing your freedom, vision and release wherever we are now, today, so that your scripture may be fulfilled in us through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday 10 February 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 94

The psalmist calls people to remember that God does, can and will act for the righteous. We are all reminded that nothing is hidden from God who formed all ears, all types of eyes. Will God not be able to see or hear what we are up to? The psalmist writes that disciplined believers are blessed, that the Lord is there for them and consoles. The Lord helps.

Jeremiah 17: 1 – 18

Judah’s sin is engraved perpetually in their hearts and the hearts of their children. They remember the idol worship and worshipping other gods. They will lose everything. Trusting in human strength is futile but the faithful are like a tree planted by a stream, even when drought comes, its roots find moisture to sustain it and it bears fruit.

The heart is deceitful. The Lord searches the heart. People who gain riches unjustly are like a bird that hatches an egg it did not lay. They will prove to be fools.

Jeremiah appeals to God to be healed and saved. He knows God does not want the destruction but the words faithfully coming from Jeremiah’s lips cause him to be terrorized by others. He asks that the disaster be brought on and that his persecutors experience it with double force.

Philippians 3: 17 – 4: 7

Paul asks the Philippians to stick to the model of life shown to them. There are sadly people who are enemies of the cross of Christ. Their stomach and their shame is their god. Our citizenship is in heaven. We await our saviour who will transform us to be like him. Stand firm.

Paul pleads with two women Euodia and Syntyche to resolve a dispute between them and find agreement in the Lord.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Let our gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything but by prayer and petition give thanks and make requests to God. And may the peace of God that transcends all understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Deniliquin NSW
2013 L Osburn

Holy and Loving God you teach us over and over to stand firm, like a tree by a stream nourished by your word and your love for us. Help us to keep our hearts focused on you, to teach our children so they never forget and live every day rejoicing, praying and making requests to you so that your peace enfolds our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.