21 July 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 21 July 2015 

Morning Prayer   

Psalm 50

Almighty God who rules over the entire planet rebukes the people and explains that God does not need sacrifices of animals. God already owns all the creatures and plants of the earth. God instead requires thanksgiving and praise.

For those who do evil, slander others and hate discipline they have no right to recite the commandments.

“Mark this, then you who forget God” (v.23). Those who bring thanksgiving honour God and those who go the right way, God will save.

2 Samuel 4: 1 – 5: 5

When Ishbaal, King Saul’s son hears about the death of Abner he loses all courage. Two leaders of his own raiding bands come into his home at mid-day during his rest and kill him as he sleeps. They take his head to David and justify the murder by saying, “the Lord has avenged my lord”.

David’s answer is that for his reward David killed the man who, thinking it was good news, told of Saul’s death. How much more will the punishment be for those who kill a righteous man who is sleeping in his own bed? David has the two raiders killed and their bodies displayed. He has Ishbaal’s head buried in the same grave as Abner.

John 7: 1 – 13

Jesus goes about in Galilee. The disciples want to go to Judea to the festival of the Booths and for Jesus to convince others. Jesus says the timing is not right for him but the disciples are welcome to go to the festival.  Some days later Jesus follows in secret.

During the festival the Jews are searching for Jesus and he is getting mixed reviews though no one speaks openly about him out of fear.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Reconciled and reunified
Oaklands NSW 2015 E Byford

Most honourable God, worthy to be revered you listen to our thoughts and fears and you want us to give thanks and sing your praise as we should at great festivals to your saving grace. You do not want grand gestures or our involvement to promote ourselves during processes of reconciliation and reunification. Give us calm, patience and trust so that our thoughts words and deeds are always righteous in your presence and so that we may be among the saved and those you honour through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday 21 July 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 41 – 64

The earth is full of God’s steadfast love and the psalmist wants to be taught and affirmed and encouraged in understanding and living by God’s statutes. Through this the psalmist will have the words to say to those who taunt and the confidence to give testimony to kings. The psalmist identifies all the ways the commandments and statutes of the Lord enrich life.

Proverbs 5: 15 – 6: 5

This section has two themes, the first is to honour and love your own spouse “drink at your own cistern and not share with strangers”.

The second is to beware of making pledges that you will go guarantor for someone else. It is like a snare where you are then dependant on that person’s actions – in their power. Quickly plead with that person if you have done this. Don’t sleep until you have freed yourself.

Romans 2: 1 – 11

When we judge others we need to take care since by our own standards we will be judged. God’s kindness and patience is there to lead us to repentance not to judging others. If we patiently do God’s work we will be honoured but those who seek their own fame and seek evil will encounter fury. Glory and honour and peace await all who do good. God is impartial.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Tree in a desert creek
Stephen's Creek NSW 2015 L Osburn

Holy and loving God you want us to be affirmed, to be encouraged and to developed in faith and love. You want us to be secure and robust in our faith and consistent in our actions. Help us to grown in patience, to look at our own behaviour first and to rectify that so that we may assist others with kindness and keep our own power and integrity through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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