Friday 3 July 2015

4 July 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 


Saturday 4 July 2015 
Morning Prayer   

Psalms 11 and 12

The psalmist disputes the claim one should run from enemies. The psalmist will stand firm. He says that if the foundation collapses, then all are powerless. The psalmist trusts in the Lord – the firm foundation.

The psalmist laments the lack of faithful people. People make promises and are unreliable. The poor and the needy suffer as a result but, the Lord is faithful forever and pure. The Lord guards and protects us.

1 Samuel 25: 2 – 23

David and his men are in the south near Maon. There is a very wealthy landowner, Nabal who has a reputation for meanness and for having a clever and beautiful wife. David sends some of his men to Nabal to ask for a share in the feast Nabal is preparing. David’s men have provided protection for Nabal’s shepherds and flocks.

The men make the request politely and are refused. Nabal does not know who David is and supposes the men to be servants breaking from their master. The men, in peace return to David who hears the report and orders everyone to strap on swords. He takes a force of 400 towards Nabal and leaves 200 to guard their belongings.
One of the young men tells Nabal’s wife, Abigail, what has happened and that in truth David and his men provide protection and care for Nabal’s men and flocks. She immediately arranges loaves (200), wine, dressed sheep (5), raisins and figs and has them sent to David’s men. She follows on her donkey and comes round the mountain undercover. Meanwhile David is planning his action to leave no men of Nabal’s community alive.

When Abigail sees David she hurries, gets off her donkey and bows to the ground before him.

Acts 15: 22 – 35

The apostles and elders in Jerusalem, with the consent of the community decide to send a letter to the churches in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. Barsabbas (aka Judas) and Silas are to accompany Paul and Barnabas. The letter is to the Christian people from other nations. It says that the church in Jerusalem knows that people without authority, told them unsettling things. Judas and Silas will affirm this personally. It reaffirmed how loved Paul and Barnabas are and how much they have risked for Christ. The letter says “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials” (v. 28). The essentials are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from strangled things and from fornication.

The people in Antioch rejoice. Judas and Silas stay a while and encourage the people, then return to Jerusalem.

Collect for Morning Prayer


The rock and foundation of a continent
The Great Australian Bight SA 2014
L Osburn
Holy and gracious Lord you give us the wisdom to consider what are our deepest foundations so that when enemies or threats confront us we can step out boldly and faithfully trusting you. Give us the calm we need today so that we listen, consider and act swiftly to the call of your Holy Spirit and through the power of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.


Saturday 4 July 2015 
Evening Prayer

Psalms 13 and 14

These psalms are laments for personal deliverance from enemies, from harm and from a cynical age. The psalmist remains faithful proclaiming God’s deliverance of Israel and care for the poor.

Sirach 51: 7 – 22

This section begins with Sirach facing death with no human help. He calls for God’s mercy and rescue from death. He promises to sing praise to God.

He is saved and there follows a great hymn of praise with the reprise “for his mercy endures forever” and which ends “Praise the Lord!”

Sirach goes on to say how all his life he sought wisdom. As a result his path has been straight, he found instruction, he was able to be strict with his conduct, he kept lamenting his ignorance and he found her. Therefore, he has the prize and the reward is a tongue that praises God continually.

Galatians 2: 1 – 10

Paul recalls how he with Barnabas and Titus went to Jerusalem and talked with the leaders of the church there. They checked that what they were proclaiming was on track. Paul reports that his commission to take the gospel to the Gentiles was accepted and is as valid at Peter’s commission to take the gospel to the Jews, and all those of the Mosaic tradition. Those in Jerusalem asked Paul to remember the poor. By this is meant send donations for the work with the poor in Jerusalem.

Collect for Evening Prayer

90 Miles of straight road
The Eyre Highway SA 2014 L Osburn
Holy Lord you give us the great gift of discernment and wisdom. When we are under challenge guide us always to seek counsel and correction so that we are clear on our mission and can go confidently always with your praise on our lips and in our hearts through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.


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