13 February 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 13 February 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalms 101 and 102: 1 - 11

The first psalm is a statement of commitment to justice and to work hard to live a righteous life. The portion of the second psalm is a lament. The psalmist is unwell and in great pain unable to eat or sleep and tormented by others who suggest God has deserted him.

Genesis 26: 1 – 17

In a famine Isaac decides to move but is directed by God not to go to Egypt. He settles in Gerar and is afraid there – he pretends Rebekah is his sister so that he is not killed because of her beauty. He prospers as promised and is protected by King Abimelech.

Luke 5: 12 – 26

Two stories of Jesus’ healing ministry: the healing of a person with leprosy and the healing of a paralysed person. After healing people Jesus withdraws to pray. And in healing he has the authority to forgive sins.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Autumn breaking through
Harrietville Vic 2015 L Osburn

Great nurturing God you forgive, heal and protect us. Help us to be honest with you: to openly and courageously make the effort to break through to you knowing that you are the promise, you have forgiven us and you heal so that we understand the wealth and the precious gifts you give us out of your immeasurable grace through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Friday 13 February 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 102: 12 – 28

This second portion of the lament turns into a hymn of prayer and praise to God. God will look after us; hears our prayers and is eternal.

Jeremiah 19: 1 – 20: 6

Jeremiah condemns the people for worshipping idols, for live sacrifice of their children to other Gods. He prophesies destruction and exile to Babylon. When he is punished and publicly humiliated by a temple officer he renames the man “Terror-all-around” and prophesies that the officer and his family will be captive and die in exile.

1 Timothy 1: 12 – 20

Here Paul testifies that he was a great sinner; a blasphemer, a persecutor and person of violence and that Christ’s great grace, and patience now fills him with faith and love. He honours and praises the “King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God”.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Evening Ceduna
SA 2014 L Osburn

Lord of song and praise, how can we keep from singing knowing that you transform lives with your grace and patience and fill us with faith and love? Be with us now as we reflect on this day and this week. Help us to identify moments where your transforming power broke through and give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.