14 July 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 14 July 2015 

Morning Prayer   

Psalm 34

This is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise and one that teaches people to love and fear the Lord, to avoid evil and to seek peace. The psalmist teaches, “the Lord redeems the life of his servants” (v.22).

2 Samuel 1: 1 – 16

David returns to Ziklag and is there two days when an Amelekite, a resident alien, come with news that Saul, and his sons are dead and that Israel has fallen. David checks how he knows this to be true. The man places himself in the story of Saul’s death saying that Saul had already fallen on his sword and asked the man to strike a final blow. He hands David Saul’s crown and armlet.

David tears his clothes and mourns until the evening for Saul, Jonathon and the army of Israel. Then David double-checks the identity of the Amelekite and asks, “Were you not afraid to lift your hand against the Lord’s anointed?” David instructs a young man to kill him for the Amelekite had confessed to killing the Lord’s anointed.

John 5: 19 – 30

Jesus says he models what he does on God, through his relationship with God. God loves Jesus and shows him what God is doing. God will show greater works than Jesus has done so far. Raising the dead – giving life – and judging are two main things Jesus has been given to do. Whoever does not honour Jesus does not honour the father.

Those who hear Jesus’s voice and truly believe pass from death to life.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Fragrant Boronia
The Deanery Garden Cathedral Griffith NSW
2014 L Osburn

Almighty God we revere you and thank you that you love every one of us. Be with us today. Keep our hearts and minds open to you so that in all our decisions we honour you, seek peace, avoid evil and make right judgements especially where the lives and health of others lie in the balance, even our enemy or foe, so that we show ourselves to be your faithful people through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Tuesday 14 July 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 17 – 40

In this section of the psalm is the plea to be taught and to be shown how to live out the commandments daily; how to read and understand scripture. There is a plea for protection against ridicule or harm by others because of our desire to be with and know God.

Micah 6: 9 – 7: 7

Micah rails against Israel saying she has stored up wickedness. He prophesies that all efforts will come to nought. They have followed the wrong path and will be a desolation, an object of ridicule and scorn.

Galatians 5: 16 – 26

If we live by the spirit law does not bind us. This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t be law abiding. A life of the spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control there are no laws against these. We focus on God’s spirit, not on the things that lead us to be being jealous or angry or quarrelling or wasteful – there are laws against all those. If we focus on things that lead us to behave badly we are focusing on things “of the flesh” – not of the spirit.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Wild flower in the rough
Rutherglen Vic 2015 L Osburn

O wonderfully generous, loving God you have through the ages given us clear guidance on how to live our lives. As we reflect on our day help us see the times we lived out your commandments, read and worked to understand your scripture and displayed the gifts of your Holy Spirit in ourselves and in others so that we may rejoice in you always through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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