25 July 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 25 July 2015 

Morning Prayer   

Psalms 62 and 63

For God my soul waits in silence: my salvation and my hope comes from God. All people and things and powers are temporary. God is our rock and fortress and we shall not be shaken. Steadfast love belongs to God.

As a drought-ravaged land seeks water so our souls seek God. God’s love is better than life. God’s love is like a rich feast. Meditating on God causes our souls to sing.

The psalm ends with a plea for personal security.

2 Samuel 8: 15 – 9: 13

David reigns in the now united kingdom. Joab remains his commander, Zadok the high priest, there are others named is senior roles, and David’s sons are priests.

David seeks out the remnants of Saul’s household and finds Ziba who a servant. Ziba reveals the existence and location of Mephibosheth, Jonathon’s son whose feet were damaged in an accident when he was a baby.

Mephibosheth is brought to David who tells him not to fear, grants him all that belonged to Saul and Saul’s house. Mephibosheth calls himself a dead dog and asks David’s what he is to David that he should be so generous. David instructs Ziba and his household (15 sons and 20 servants) to farm Saul’s land for Mephibosheth who will always eat at David’s table like one of David’s sons and live in Jerusalem.

Mica is one of Ziba’s sons.

John 8: 12 – 30

Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (v. 12). The Pharisees dispute with him that this assessment is not valid. Jesus says that because he knows his origins and what is to come, even if this is a self-assessment, it is valid. He goes on to say that no one can follow his path, that he is following God’s path and speaking God’s words. When Christ is raised up the people will know who he is, and what he has done. Many believe in him.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Concern
Mandurah Estuary WA 2014 L Osburn

Steadfast God, your love is better than life. It is a rich feast in a royal household. It causes our hearts to sing. Help us see that the things that separate us from you are our concerns about human power, fear and pride. Guide and support when we humbly bring our selves before you, ask for your protection and realise that we will always fall short of being able to truly follow in Jesus’s steps so that we are reminded that the help that comes from you is the generous support of a loving parent lighting up our lives to joy and fullness through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Saturday 25 July 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 64 and 67

The first psalm is about those who do evil and think no one can see or hear them. God knows. God sees. God will respond. Let the righteous rejoice and take refuge in God.

The second psalm is a blessing. “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us” (v 1). The blessing asks too that our lives be testament to God’s glory. May the whole world sing praise and rejoice.

Proverbs 8: 1 – 21

Wisdom calls out to us all. We are to learn prudence, acquire intelligence, discretion and listen. Wisdom is better than jewels. Revering God means we will hate evil, pride, arrogance and perverted speech.

Those who seek wisdom will find it. The riches that come from wisdom are like fine fruit and better than gold. Wisdom takes us on the path of righteousness and justice.

Romans 3: 21 – 31

Paul continues to say that we all stand before God on an equal footing justified by faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus was the sacrifice of atonement by faith. So, there is no basis for boasting. It is our faith not our works that justifies us and we uphold the Law.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Spirit of Joy
Mandurah Estuary WA 2014 L Osburn

Almighty and all-knowing God, you have freed us all and justified us through our faith in Jesus. Continue to bless us, shine on us and be gracious to us. Lead us to seek wisdom, prudence, and discretion and to listen so that when we stand before you it will be with rejoicing hearts overflowing with love for you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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