Tuesday 7 July 2015

8 July 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 


Wednesday 8 July 2015 
Morning Prayer   

Psalms 20 and 21: 1 – 7 (8 – 13)

The first psalm begins as a bidding prayer asking that God answer your prayers, protect you in times of trouble, grant you your heart’s desire and fulfil all your plans. It was originally about the king. God is the one in whom the community trusts, not men or chariots. The psalmist knows God will help.

The second psalm takes this theme of the power being with God and the king’s dependence on God in all things.

1 Samuel 27: 1 – 28: 2

David realises that Saul cannot be trusted and flees with his family and force to Gath (paradoxically this the where Goliath came from). He stays first with King Achish then asks to be permitted to live in a town. He is given Ziklag.

From there David mounts raids into distant communities hostile to Judah. He leaves no one alive so news of his raids cannot come back to Gath but brings back livestock and goods. When asked by King Achish where he has raided he names towns in Judah. The King is content, thinking that David is making himself utterly abhorrent in Israel and therefore will remain loyal to him.

John 4: 1 – 15

The Pharisees hear that Jesus and his disciples are baptising more people than John. They are already hostile to John so they now turn their focus on Jesus. Jesus leaves Judea and returns to Galilee via Samaria. Jesus, tired sits by a well and the disciples go to buy food.

A Samaritan woman comes to draw water from the well and Jesus asks for water. Jews did not associate with Samaritans. The woman is understandably shocked and says so. Jesus responds that if she knew what God gives and who he is she would be asking him for living water – that which gushes up from within a person and brings them eternal life. She asks Jesus for this water so that she never has to come to the well again.

Collect for Morning Prayer


Water wheel
Cape Leeuwin WA 2014 L Osburn
God of protection, nourishment and bringer of eternal life, you know there are times when we have to confront hostile people and people who cannot be trusted. We know that in our own strength, even with armies, we can do nothing without you. Be with us this day. Help us remember that someone in the world is praying for us, for our protection and for our prayers to be answered so that we can go out in courage nourished by your living water to do what is necessary to bring your beauty and your message into this world you love through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.


Wednesday 8 July 2015
Evening Prayer

Psalms 24 and 26

The Lord of hosts is the King of glory, is the focus of this psalm. The world and everything in it is God’s. Those who aspire to heaven are the pure and righteous.

The second psalm is from a person who is faithful and has integrity and who has been falsely accused. The psalm asks God to look inside and to bring redemption.

Micah 3

Micah rails against the rulers in Israel who say they want justice but treat the people cruelly. The priests and prophets are false and corrupt. Micah is not and prophesies the total destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.

Galatians 3: 15 – 26

The law handed down through Moses, helps us see our mistakes and gives us a disciplined framework. It does not give us righteousness. Belief and faith in God through Christ gives us righteousness. In Christ we are now all children of God through faith (v. 26).

Collect for Evening Prayer

Children
Cape Le Grand National Park
WA 2014 L Osburn
King of glory and King of peace you alone know our innermost hearts and minds. You know our love and faith in you. Strengthen our faith and firm our belief so that we your children may always be righteous in your eyes through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.


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