11 June 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 11 1June 2015 

Morning Prayer   

Psalms 95 and 96

Sing to God songs of praise for all things God has done for us. Be joyful. Make a noise. Do not harden your heart like the Israelites did when they were wandering in the wilderness.

Sing praise to the Lord! Ascribe to God the glory of creation. Let everything, the heavens, the trees, everything sing and praise God.

1 Samuel 13: 19 – 14: 15

Saul's people have no weapons (only Saul and his son Jonathon). Even their farming tools are blunt since the Philistines control all metal sharpening at exorbitant prices.

The Philistines send a garrison into the pass at Michmash. Jonathon with his armour bearer decides to act without telling Saul. He states that God can act through many or through a few. They cross towards the Philistines and show themselves.  Jonathon’s strategy is that if the Philistines come to them they will wait and not move. If the Philistines invite them forward, then God is with them and has handed the Philistines to them.

The Philistines call them. Jonathon instructs his armour bearer to come directly behind him. The Philistines fall before Jonathon and the armour-bearer kills them. The Philistines panic in their camp.

Acts 9: 1 – 9

Saul (the one who will become Paul) is uttering threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He goes to the high priest and asks for a letter to the synagogue in Damascus giving instruction to arrest any who belonged to the “Way” and bring them bound to Jerusalem. Near Damascus, on the road he experiences a blinding light and all hear a voice asking Saul, “Why are you persecuting me?” Saul asks whose voice this is. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” He is told to get up and go to the city and he will be told what to do. Saul is sightless and eats nothing for three days.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Cycling across a continent
Eyre Highway SA 2014 L Osburn

Holy and Almighty Lord you know our hearts. Only you have what is needed to keep the faithful giving thanks, to protect and defend the powerless and to transform your enemies into your obedient people. Soften our hearts to you today so that we can with firm faith call on your power, go into your world with courage and with confidence enter your rest secure in the knowledge that you can do anything with just a few of us through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Thursday 11 June April 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 97 and 98

The first psalm celebrates God using the theme of God as sovereign. God guards the lives of those who are faithful and delivers them from the wicked. Let everyone who is faithful rejoice and praise God.

The psalm is a summons to all nations and people to praise the Lord and rejoice in this name. God’s is the victory, God’s is the strength and we are God’s people. God comes to judge the earth with righteousness and equity.

Sirach 4: 11 - 28

Wisdom teaches and gives help to those that seek her. Those that minister to wisdom serve the Holy One. Those who obey her, who go through her discipline and tests until she trusts them, will have secrets revealed to them.

Watch for the opportune time. Don’t be ashamed of yourself. Don’t show partiality to your own harm or deference to your downfall. Speak at the proper moment: don’t hide your wisdom. Don’t be afraid to confess your sins. Don’t speak against the truth. Don’t subject yourself to a fool or show partiality to a ruler. Fight to the death for truth and God will fight for you.

2 Corinthians 9

Paul has told the Macedonians that Corinth and the region she is in are ready to minister to the saints in Jerusalem. The three brothers Paul has sent them are to assist them so that when Paul comes with Macedonians no one is embarrassed. The extent of the gift to the saints is to be what people are willing to give knowing that “if we sow sparingly we reap sparingly”.

God loves a cheerful giver and will ensure they have enough so that they can share in good works. The gift will not only supply the needs of the saints but also bring about great thanksgiving to God and the prayers of those receiving for those who give.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Pelicans
Denmark WA 2014 L Osburn

Holy and compassionate God you guard the lives of the faithful, those who fight for truth and give generously of themselves for you. Be with us as we reflect on the times we were tested today. Help us see the times when we were wise, truth focused, impartial and generous and give you thanks. Give us the courage to bring the times we failed to you and receive your love so that we may grow in strength to love and serve you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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