11 July 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 11 July 2015 

Morning Prayer   

Psalms 28 and 29

In the first psalm, the there is an appeal to not be like people who don’t believe and/or those who are deceitful. The psalmist changes focus and reminds us how big and powerful God is who saves and shepherds the people forever.

The next psalm picks up this theme on the almighty power of God just by whose voice water, forests, mountains and fire dance or whirl. The Lord’s power brings people confidence and peace.

1 Samuel 30: 7 – 25

David asks for an ephod and consults the Lord whether he should chase the raiders or stay. The Lord’s message is, to pursue and successfully rescue. David does so with 600 men. At Wadi Besor 200 who are exhausted are left behind.

They find an Egyptian wandering in the desert. They feed him and when revived he tells them he was part of the raiding group. He gives David direction to the raiders. David finds them just on sunset celebrating their success: eating, drinking and dancing. He succeeds in rescuing all the captured people, livestock and goods. Some of the raiders flee on camels.

Back at the Wadi Besor some of the people who went with David do not wish to share the goods with those who remained behind. David decrees, “the share of the one who goes into the battle shall be the same as the share of the one who stays by the baggage” (v 24).

John 4: 43 – 54

Jesus leaves Samaria and goes to Galilee where this time he is welcomed since the people had been to Jerusalem for the festival and seen his works.

He comes to Cana and there a royal official, not a Jew, asks Jesus to heal his critically ill son. Jesus challenges the man on belief, that his belief is based on seeing signs and wonders not on faith. The man asks again, Jesus tells him that his son will live. The man believes Jesus’s word, returns home and is met with the message that the child is well and specifically that he recovered at the moment Jesus spoke the words. The official and his entire household become believers.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Duck about to touch down
Mandurah Estuary WA 2014 L Osburn

 Holy and almighty God not only are you powerful and come to our aid and you show us compassion for the injured, the ones who cannot take the risk to bring home “the prize” and to innocent children even of families of the occupying force. Today guide us in all we do, lead us in compassion and love so that our actions are the out workings of your spirit of compassion for all people through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Saturday 11 July 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 30 and 32

The first psalm is of praise and thanksgiving for healing and prayers answered. “I will give thanks to you forever” (v 12).

The second psalm begins telling us how happy are those whose sins are forgiven. The psalmist recounts how he was unwell and until he acknowledged his sins and confessed. Healing began. He encourages all to offer prayers when distressed and warns us not to be stubborn about it.  Steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.

Micah 5: 5b – 15

Micah says that after the king of peace comes if the Assyrians come there will be seven shepherds and eight rulers who will rule Assyria and the land of Nimrod. The remnant of Jacob’s people will live surrounded by people from many countries – it will be like a young lion. The idol worshippers will be no more and no one will worship what their own hands made. Anger and wrath will be executed on the nations that did not obey God.

Galatians 4: 21 – 31

Paul uses the scripture story of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar to clarify the position of the Christians from other nations. Hagar, a slave had a son born to slavery – although he was Abraham’s son the Law would always bind him. Sarah, the free woman, the childless one, has a child by the spirit of God. That child is the one on which the future is built.

Hagar’s son persecuted Sarah’s son. Just like the church of the Law at the time persecuted Christians. So, Paul argues the Christians are the new inheritors of the promise with the child of the free woman.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Off the path
Albany WA 2014 L Osburn

God of healing and restoration you give us the power to set aside all those things that get in the way of worshipping you – the ways we live and things we revere that are not your ways and that constitute idols. Help us review our day, see the times where your love shepherded and ruled us. Help us repent the times we went on our own path and bring us back to you as inheritors of your promise – forgiven, loved and free – through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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