27 July 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 27 July 2015 

Morning Prayer   

Psalm 68: 1 – 20

A psalm of praise to a practical God, our God. We are provided with the practical necessities homes, care for orphans and widows, water, food, crops, protection, peace and God’s presence - relationship.

2 Samuel 10

The King of the Ammonites dies and his son, Hanun succeeds him. David sends envoys to honour the dead King who dealt loyally with David. Hanun is poorly advised and treats the envoys as spies – shaving off half the beard of each and cutting their garments up to the hips.

David goes out to meet his envoys and safely houses them in Jericho until their beards grow back. Then they return home with honour.

The Ammonites realise they have been offensive and engage a mercenary force of Arameans. When Joab and David’s army arrive at the Ammonite city they find themselves surrounded: the Ammonites before them at the city gates and the Arameans behind them. Joab splits the army each facing the other way. Joab defeats the Arameans who flee then turns to ward the Ammonites. Joab succeeds and returns to Jerusalem.

The Arameans knowing they lost against Israel amass an army at Helam across the Jordan. David is told and takes his army to Helam. He defeats the Arameans who make peace with Israel and cease helping the Ammonites.

John 8: 31 – 47

Jesus talks to the Jews who believe in him. He explains how they are slaves to sin and that continuing in the truth as shown by Jesus will set them free. They dispute that as sons of Abraham they have always been free. Jesus counters that if they were true sons of Abraham they would do as God says through Jesus and not be trying to kill him. They then say they have one Father, God himself. Jesus responds that if God were their Father, they would love him. They can’t understand and there is no room for Jesus because the evil one leads them.

Whoever is from God hears the word of God. The reason they are not hearing is because they are not from God. They are ruled by sin.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Shelter
Harrietville 2014 L Osburn

Holy Lord, we thank you for all your gifts to us: the practicalities of life, freedom and choice. Open our hearts and minds to hear your word, discern Jesus in our lives and to treat him with honour. Give us grace to respect the people we meet and generously share your blessings and practical gifts: water, food and shelter with them through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Monday 27 July 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 68: (21 – 23) 24 – 35

This section of the psalm moves first to the fierce protection God provides for his people and then to a procession and celebration of God and the people of Israel, united in Jerusalem at the temple.

Proverbs 8: 22 – 36

Wisdom was created by God before the beginning of creation and had a part in all God’s creative actions. Wisdom call to us all to listen, to keep her ways and to hear her instruction for whoever finds Wisdom obtains favour for God. Those who do not get wisdom injure themselves and those who hate wisdom love death.

Romans 4: 1 – 12

Paul recalls Abraham whose faith and belief in God meant he was righteous. Circumcision came afterwards as a sign of that righteousness. Abraham did not earn righteousness. It was a gift. Abraham is the ancestor of all who believe and the ancestor of the circumcised who follow Abraham’s example of faith.

Collect for Evening Prayer

It is winter: we know the
spring will come
Harrietville 2014 L Osburn

Wonderful God you call us to give praise, to love wisdom and to have faith. This night give us grace to quietly reflect on our day and note the times we praised you, the times we gently sought wisdom before taking action and the times we stepped out in faith, so that we can clearly see your grace and your love in action and praise you all the more through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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