24 June 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 24 June 2015 

Morning Prayer   

Psalms 130, 131 and 133

The first psalm is a lament and recognition of God’s forgiveness and steadfast love. The second describes deep humility: a calmed and quieted soul that waits in trust for the Lord. The third psalm rejoices in family peace and harmony.

1 Samuel 19: 1 – 17

King Saul intends to kill David. Jonathon warns David. David hides and Jonathon advocates for him challenging his father why he would kill an innocent person. Saul swears he will not kill David. David returns to Saul’s service.

David fights and wins against the Philistines again. Saul, in a bad mood is listening to David play and launches his spear to pin him against the wall. David flees. 

Saul puts a guard on David’s home. Michal, David’s wife and Saul’s daughter, tells David to escape else he will be killed in the morning. She lowers him out of the house in a basket. She lies to the guards saying David is sick and puts a statute with fake hair in the bed.

Saul orders that David be brought. The deceit is discovered. Saul asks Michal why she deceived Saul and let David go. She replies that David has asked to be let go and said, “why should I kill you?”

Acts 13: 1 – 12

In Antioch, a group of Christians gather. The Holy Spirit says to the group to send Barnabas and Saul (who is now Paul) out as a mission. They travel to a few places then come to Cyprus, arrive in Salamis and go to Paphos. Here the find a false prophet named Bar-Jesus (aka Elymas) with the proconsul Serguis Paulus. The proconsul wants to hear the word of God. Elymas, tries to oppose the message and turn the proconsul away from the faith. Paul, with the power of the Holy Spirit looks at Elymas and discerns that he is full of deceit and villainy. Paul declares that the hand of the Lord is against Elymas. Elymas stops being able to see and now needs to be led around. The proconsul, seeing what had happened believes and is astonished at the teachings about the Lord.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Breaking off the chains of sin
St Saviour's Anglican Church
Gladstone Qld 2015 L Osburn

Loving God, you are steadfast in your love for us, you forgive those who come to you and you act to protect us. Help us discern when we encounter sin, deceit and falsehood and to rely calmly on you so that our souls may stay quiet and we may live lives of peace and harmony through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Wednesday 24 June April 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 132 and 134

The first psalm is a reminder to God that David promised to bring the Ark of the Covenant to a permanent dwelling in Jerusalem. God indicates that if David’s offspring keep the commandments then the dynasty will last.

The second psalm is a blessing. Come bless the Lord. Lift up your hands and bless the Lord. May the Lord bless the earth.

Sirach 22: 27 – 23: 11

We need to guard what we say and put an effective seal on our lips to avoid being destroyed by what comes from our mouths.

God is asked to discipline our thoughts and minds so that we don’t make mistakes and are ridiculed. God is asked to keep us humble and keep gluttony and lust from us.

Sirach’s instruction to the children is to not utter oaths as a habit. If we make promises we cannot keep we will find ourselves under harsh scrutiny. If we promise something you can’t keep that’s bad enough but if we don’t keep the promise we are doubly at fault. There is no justification for it and calamity will result.

James 2: 8 - 26

James reinforces that God’s law needs to be upheld – not just in parts but also as a whole. The laws of God are laws that allow liberty for all and mercy is central to our community.

James then goes on to say that faith without works cannot save. Even demons believe in God. We need to demonstrate our faith by our actions in the world and keep our faith alive.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Statute of a fisherman bringing in the catch
Fremantle harbour WA 2014 E Byford

God of disciplined action you show us that it is not enough to believe but we are to live disciplined, lives based in respect for you and for each other. Help us reflect on this day and remember those times where we acted in a disciplined and loving way curbing our thoughts, calming our minds and controlling our words so that we, strengthened by this practice, can daily demonstrate our faith in action and keep alive in you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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