3 July 2015
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Friday 3 July 2015
Morning
Prayer
Psalm 9
This
psalm is a song of thanks and praise for the demise of past enemies and the
eternal presence of God. The Lord is the security for oppressed people and that
means individuals too. The psalmist moves to a prayer for individual help. The
psalm ends asking God to “let the nations know that they are only human”
(v.20).
1 Samuel 24: 8 – 25: 1
David leaves the cave, goes towards King Saul, calls
out to him, “My Lord and King” and does obeisance to him when Saul acknowledges
his presence. David challenges Saul why he listens to those who say David seeks
to harm him. He shows Saul the corner of his cloak. It is clear to Saul that
David chose not to kill him. David calls on God to be the judge and for God to
do any avenging. David asks why Saul chases him, someone of less worth than a
dead dog. Was it some small irritation – is he hunting down a flea?
Saul recognises David’s voice, weeps and admits that
David is more righteous than he is. David has repaid evil with good. Saul
recognises that David will indeed one day be king and not because he seeks to
take the throne. Saul has David promise that he will protect Saul’s family now
and in the future. Saul returns home and David goes back to his stronghold.
Samuel dies and all Israel assembles and mourns.
Acts 15: 12 – 21
Barnabas
and Paul are in Jerusalem talking with the leaders there. They tell of the
signs and wonders God has done with the people from other nations. When they
finish James, the brother of Jesus asks those assembled to recall past teaching
and scripture that says God will set things up for people from other nations to
seek Him and be called by His name. James then says that all that is required
is that they refrain from things polluted by idols, and fornication – rules set
down by Noah therefore covering all nations. Moses
has people since he has been read in every synagogue every Sabbath. That is not
lost.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
All of us are precious Wagga NSW 2015 T Whittaker |
Friday 3 July 2015
Evening
Prayer
Psalm 10
The
psalm begins describing how arrogant wicked people are: how they think God does
not see them and that they can get away with anything. But God does see. God
will hear the meek and give them strength and provide justice for the orphan
and oppressed so that people on earth will “strike terror no more” (v.18).
Sirach 44: 1 – 15
Let us sing the praise of truly great people. Some
were rulers with great counsel, valour and intelligence. Some were prophets
wise in their instruction and leading the people through their understanding.
Some were musicians and composers. Some were rich who lived in peace. All were
honoured in their time and remembered now. Some are not remembered and neither
are their families. But they too were
righteous and their wealth resides in their offspring and can never be blotted
out.
Sirach names Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Galatians 1: 11 – 24
Paul
tells the Galatians his story to verify his credibility. Paul was a persecutor
of Christians. He received his gospel direct from a revelation of Christ. He
did not go to Jerusalem to learn the gospel from the people there. Instead it
was three years before he went there. When he eventually went to Jerusalem
Peter (Cephas in Aramaic) and Jesus’s brother James were the people he met and
only for a fortnight. Paul comes with the direct knowledge from Jesus.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
On the Silver City Highway Broken Hill NSW 2015 L Osburn |
Holy,
almighty wonderful God we give you thanks and praise. You see us all and know the
righteous and good and you bless them and their families. You alone can turn
the heart of someone who brings persecution and terror to be one of your great apostles
and missionaries. Strengthen us in the days to come to be your truly great
people working for your glory, your peace and your kingdom through Jesus Christ
your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
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