Monday 22 June 2015

23 June 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 


Tuesday 23 June 2015 
Morning Prayer   

Psalms 124, 125 and 126

If it had not been for the Lord the enemy forces would have attacked and overwhelmed us like a flood. Blessed be the Lord. Our help is in the name of the Lord.

Those who trust in God shall never be moved. God will surround and support us. The psalmist prays for blessing on the faithful and that evil be kept away from us.

When we are restored we are full of joy and praise and others notice that our God has done great things for us. So we ask to be restored, that those in tears reap joy and those who weep and sow seeds come back with an abundant harvest.

1 Samuel 18: 17 – 30

Saul, deliberately risks David’s life in battle. He offers his eldest daughter to David. David says his family is not worthy. Saul says David’s worth is in faithfully fighting God’s battles. When the time comes the daughter is given in a political marriage.

Saul’s other daughter Michal loves David. Saul sees this as a way to draw Philistine attention to David in battle.  Again David says his family is unworthy and cannot provide the requisite gift. Saul demands evidence of the death of 100 Philistines. David provides the evidence within the set time. He is married to Michal. Saul becomes more afraid of David. David’s successes in battle continue and his fame spreads.

Acts 12: 12 – 25

Peter, who has been freed from prison by an angel now realises it is not a dream and goes straight to the house of Mary the mother of John. Rhoda, the maid answers the outer gate, sees Peter and is so overjoyed she runs inside without opening the gate. The people inside tell her she is crazy. She insists. Peter keeps knocking. Eventually they go and answer the gate and of course there is a fuss and Peter has to quiet them.

The next morning, Herod Agrippa has the prison guards killed on account of Peter’s escape. Herod then goes to Caesarea. He is unhappy with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They seek reconciliation. On the day it is to be ratified Herod is robed and on his platform. The people praise him as if he is a God. Immediately he dies.

Christianity grows and Barnabas and Saul return to Jerusalem and bring with them John (aka Mark).

Collect for Morning Prayer

New orchid
Karri Forest Nanup WA 2014
L Osburn
 O God our help and support, you surround us with your love and you give us the means to be free, to achieve, to grow and to flourish. When evil and fear surround us, when there is weeping, help us keep our eyes on you and like those planting seed wait patiently for your gift of restoration so that we and all around us may praise you and shout for joy through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.


Tuesday 23 June April 2015
Evening Prayer

Psalms 127, 128 and 129

Unless the Lord is with us in what we do our labour is in vain. Rising early, working late and being anxious about things are not part of God’s plan.

Those who walk with God are blessed to have the freedom to eat our own produce, prosperity sufficient for women to be creative and children to flourish. It is a blessing to see our grandchildren.

God has preserved us from all assaults in the past. The psalmist asks that those who are enemies of God not prevail.

Sirach 22: 6 – 18

We are warned that learning, discipline and becoming intelligent gives us resolve so that we can withstand crises. We are warned to steer away from fools, those who might as well be asleep and who can spatter us when they shake themselves off. They will make us weary. They are harder to carry than sand, salt and an iron rod.

We may weep for the dead who have left the light. For those who choose to leave intelligence behind, the mourning lasts their lifetime.

James 1: 19 – 2: 7

James writes that we should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger because anger does not bring righteousness. We need to apply what we learn from scripture to our lives – caring for others is part of the mission.

Finally he challenges us to respect the poor since they too are heirs of the kingdom and are rich in faith. We are to honour them when they come to our assemblies.


Collect for Evening Prayer

Cruising pelicans
Lake Mulwala NSW 2014 L Osburn
Holy and gracious God you encourage us to learn, to be disciplined, to listen, to be compassionate and to walk with you. Give us the grace this night to reflect on our day and see those times when there were things and people we could influence and change and to be aware of those things and people who we cannot change: those who are unwilling or unable to change at the moment. Give us the courage to act and the serenity to walk away always blessing everyone we meet through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.




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