10 August 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 10 August 2015 

Morning Prayer   

Psalms 92 and 93

In the first psalm God’s faithfulness and steadfast love is praised. On this occasion enemies have failed in some other place and are no more. Everything has been restored. The righteous people prosper.

In the second psalm God’s greatness is praised – more powerful than floods, more powerful than the seas. God’s commandments are sure and God lives in holiness.

2 Samuel 17: 15 – 18: 4

Hushai gets the message about the competing advice to Zadok and Abiathar the priests who through two young men take the message to David. The young men are noticed and reported so hide in a well and are protected by a woman who puts a lid on the well and a pile of grain. When it is safe they go to David.

David and his group cross the Jordan to Mahanaim where supporters give them food. Ahithophel seeing that his counsel is not followed goes to his home, puts his affairs in order, hangs himself and is buried in his family’s tomb.

Amasa the commander for Absalom is the cousin of Joab, David’s commander. David sets up three companies in his army one under Joab, another under Abishai (Joabs’s brother) and the third under Ittai. He says he will fight with them and they argue that he is worth 10,000 men and should stay in the city. David does as they advise and stands by the city gate as the troops pass by.

Acts 15: 36 – 16: 10

Paul and Barnabas agree to re-visit the communities of believers. After discussion, Paul makes the journey with Silas and Barnabas takes Mark with him to Cyprus. Paul and Silas visit communities and on the way collect Timothy whose mother was Jewish and father is Greek. Timothy is circumcised and they continued touring Asia Minor. Paul, in a vision, is called to Macedonia.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Cape Le Grand National Park
WA L Osburn

Wonderful and eternal God you are with us in all we do. Be with us this day as we go about our daily work and especially be with those of us who are required to put our lives at risk for your sake, so that our efforts add to the spread of your love, grace and peace through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Monday 10 August 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 94

The psalmist calls people to remember that God does, can and will act for the righteous. We are all reminded that nothing is hidden from God who formed all ears and all types of eyes. Will God not be able to see or hear what we are up to? The psalmist writes that disciplined believers are blessed, that the Lord is there for them and consoles. The Lord helps.

Proverbs 15: 1 - 15

Be soft in speech, gentle knowledgeable and wise – these will turn away anger wrath and trouble. Righteousness and prayer are sacrifices the Lord delights in. Since God can go everywhere even into the depth of death how easy is it for God to come into our hearts? A glad heart has a cheerful countenance and a continual feast.

The reverse of these qualities leads to harm.

Romans 9: 1 – 13

Paul explains his concern about the Israelites and their lack of belief in Christ. Their lack of belief does not mean that the word of God has failed. While the Israelites are the people of God’s promise, not all are. God chooses people before their birth for example the choice of Jacob over Esau revealed to his mother. It is not the biological descendants of Israel who are God’s but the people of the promise who are counted as descendants.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Lucky Bay
Cape Le Grand National Park
WA L Osburn

Holy Lord, you have told us that we are the children of your promise and that you are always here for the righteous and believers. Moreover, through your holy people you have taught us the qualities of lives that are focused on you. Be with us in the nights and days to come, strengthen us in knowledge, wisdom and gentleness so that our hearts may be full of you, forever glad through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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