26 February 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 26 February 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalms 137: 1 – 6 (7 – 9) and 138

The song of the exiles... “By the river of Babylon”. The psalmist feels the pain and anguish of the destruction of Jerusalem and worries about forgetting yet finding it impossible to sing.

The second psalm is a song of praise and deliverance and ends with the psalmist faithfully claiming, “the Lord will fulfil his purpose for me” (v.8).

Genesis 41: 37 – 57

Joseph is given charge of Egypt and the management of food security. He is married into the family of the high priest and has two sons. When the drought comes, Egypt is prepared and her people are fed. People from other nations also came to Egypt for grain.

Luke 12: 8 – 21

Jesus indicates that those who acknowledge him will be acknowledged by him in the life to come. Those who speak ill against him can be forgiven, but once the Holy Spirit comes, speaking ill of the Holy Spirit is speaking ill of God.

The passage moves on to consideration of property and greed. Life isn’t measured by possessions. Hoarding and storing possessions to then relax, is folly. If we die tonight whose property is it? Jesus challenges us to be rich towards God.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Silver City Highway
Outback NSW 2015
L Osburn

 Pragmatic and practical God, you know that we often think in concrete terms and understand our world through our senses. Help us consider the pain and anguish we will feel if ever we are separated from you. Help us let you in to our hearts so that your purpose can start to be fulfilled. Help us also to remember that ultimately material possessions are not ours so that we can praise you, Father Son and Holy Spirit all the days of our lives and be eternally acknowledged by you, which is the possession worth having through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Thursday 26 February 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 139

The psalmist loves, reveres and understands the majesty and ever-presence of God. He wants to distance himself from anyone and anything that is opposed to God – to actively step away. He appeals to God to examine him, test him and lead him in the right way.

Jeremiah 26: 20 – 27: 11

Another prophet, Uriah prophesies with the same message as Jeremiah. His life is threatened and he flees to Egypt where he is pursued, brought back to King Jehoiakim and executed.  Jeremiah however is protected.

God instructs Jeremiah to make a yoke of straps and crossbars, put it on himself and then prophesy not only to Zedekiah the king but also to all the envoys from surrounding countries. God created the earth and it is God’s to give to whom God chooses. He will give control of all the countries to Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. If the countries bow to the King of Babylon's rule they will be safe. If not they will experience the sword, famine, plague and exile.

Hebrews 5: 7 – 6: 8

The writer talks about the pure humanity of Jesus, his prayers, supplications, loud cries and tears, and his obedience to the answer to his prayer, which led him to crucifixion and the salvation of all. Jesus is the great high priest. There is more for us to learn and we are challenged to go beyond being fed milk like babies to be ready for some hard food and to produce a fruitful harvest.

Collect for Evening Prayer

New Vintage
Gapsted Victoria 2014 L Osburn

Great and almighty God, you want us to have full lives with deep and abiding faith. Lead us in the right path. Keep us away from all evil. Open our hearts to be obedient to you just as Christ was obedient and help us grow in maturity, discipline and righteousness so that our lives may bring you a full harvest of praise and thanksgiving through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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