13 July 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 13 July 2015 

Morning Prayer   

Psalm 35: 1 - 17

This section of the psalm asks for God to contend with personal enemies: those who fight, who devise evil, who ensnare, who are malicious witnesses, who repay good for evil and, who mock. The psalmist asks, “say to my soul ‘I am your salvation’ ” (v.3).

1 Samuel 31

The Philistines fight against Israel. They kill all Saul’s sons. Saul is not willing for them to kill him so asks his armour bearer to do it. He refuses. Saul falls on his own sword and the armour bearer likewise. The Philistines take Saul’s body remove the head and display it around the countryside and fasten his and his sons’ bodies to a wall in Beth-shan. But when the people of Jabesh-gilead hear this they come by night, remove the bodies, take them to Jabseh, burn them and bury the bones then fast for 7 days.

John 5: 1 – 18

Jesus goes to Jerusalem for the festival of the Jews. It is the Sabbath. He heals a man on the Sabbath. Jesus asks him does he want to be well. He says yes. Jesus tells him to take up his bed and walk.

Some Jews see the man carrying his bed on the Sabbath. The man initially cannot identify Jesus. Later Jesus and the man meet again. Jesus tells the man to sin no more. The man identifies Jesus to the Jews who confront him. Jesus says God, his Father works on the Sabbath and so should he. These Jews want Jesus dead for breaking the Sabbath and by saying that God is his father, presuming to be equal to God.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Morning blooms
Armadale WA 2014 L Osburn

 Holy Lord you are our salvation. Without you nothing we do comes to its right completion. Help us see that even if we only believe healing is possible, that is enough for you to work miracles, do wonders and bring us your saving grace. And so let us remove all hurdles and blocks that stand between those who need your love and healing and us. Help us worship and honour you through our service to others through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Monday 13 July 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 35: 18 – 29 and 36

The end of the first psalm continues the plea for God to contend with personal enemies and vows to praise God when the psalmist is vindicated.

The second psalm describes the character of those who are wicked. It then describes the character of God: “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light”(v.9). The psalm ends in a plea for steadfast love and salvation.

Micah 6: 1 – 8

Micah sets up a controversy and states first the case of God. He asks the people to consider what God has done and the protection given in ages past. Micah lists what sacrifices will be enough to be absolved? Would it take calves, lambs, rivers of oil, even the sacrifice of his first-born? Micah answers that God has already said what the required sacrifice is “to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God” (v.8).

Galatians 5: 1 – 15

Paul appeals to the Galatians not to let themselves be circumcised; not to let themselves be ruled by Jewish Law but to stay connected to Christ and be justified by faith and grace. Paul is angry with those who confuse the Galatians and require them to become Jews.

We are called to freedom, to love one another. And if we do harm each other be warned that we may destroy each other.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Nearly Home
Savernake NSW 2015 L Osburn

We rejoice and give thanks holy, almighty and loving God for your great and eternal mercies. You are our fountain of life and our light for the way ahead. We praise you for your freedom and ask for your grace so that we may act justly, love kindness and walk with you all the days of our lives through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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