Sunday 16 August 2015

17 August 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 


Monday 17 August 2015 
Morning Prayer   

Psalm 106: 1 – 24

The psalmist begins praising God and marvelling at God’s faithful love and great deeds. He then charges that we like the people of the past – from the Exodus to the time of Aaron – go astray.

2 Samuel 20: 14 - 26

Sheba the Bichrite passes through Israel gathering support. He and his forces arrive in Abel of Beth-Maacah. Joab arrives and lays siege to the city. I woman of the city calls out to speak to Joab. She tells him the history and place of this town – its reputation and asks him not to destroy it. Joab says they only really want Sheba who has put himself in opposition to King David. The woman says they will behead Sheba. They do so and throw it to Joab who departs and returns to Jerusalem.

The administration and positions of authority are again settled in David’s kingdom.

Acts 18: 1 – 17

Paul travels to Corinth where he finds Aquila and Priscilla who are Jews from Rome. Claudius Caesar has expelled all Jews from Rome. Paul works with Aquila making tents and preaches at the synagogue. When Silas and Timothy arrive Paul is being unsuccessful with the Jews and so turns to proclaim the good news to the rest of the people. The church in Corinth begins. Paul has a dream where he is told no harm will come to him. The Jews take Paul before the proconsul on religious grounds. The proconsul rejects the case since it has nothing to do with Roman Law. The Jews beat Sosthenes, an official of the synagogue, in front of the tribunal and the proconsul pays no attention.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Tug
Gladstone Qld L Osburn
 Holy Lord, we like the psalmist marvel at your great deeds and faithful love to those to whom you have promised protection. Keep us in your grace today, guide us, protect us and enable us to bring your love and peace to the people of this world through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.







Monday 17 August 2015
Evening Prayer

Psalm 106: 25 – 50

The ancient people keep shifting allegiance and worshipping other gods. They even conduct live sacrifice of their children. Yet God delivers them, shows compassion. The psalmist asks for God to gather us in to give thanks, glory and praise to God.

Proverbs 18: 4 - 21

The key theme in these sayings are, first to take care what you say, how you say it, the order – are you the first to speak and will you then be cross-examined, your attitude and ensure you do not offend an ally when you speak.

When listening, properly listen, seek knowledge before answering and do not seek to subvert the innocent.

If you are lazy about tasks you are like a vandal.

The wealthy imagine they are protected but God protects the righteous and humility comes before honour.

The human spirit can overcome illness but who can bear a broken spirit?

With two equally powerful contenders in a dispute, casting lots will resolve it.

Those who have wives are recipients of God’s favour.

Romans 11: 13 – 24

Paul accepts that some Jews will not accept the gospel and that opens the opportunity for the people from other nations to be reconciled to God. When Jews believe it strengthens the whole. Paul uses a metaphor of an olive tree. God is the rootstock and believers the branches. Non-believing Jews are like pruned branches. Faithful Christian people from other nations are like grafted on branches from a wild olive. We are not to be proud of being a branch. We need to be proud of the rootstock and keep strong in the faith. We too can be pruned. And any Jewish person is easier to graft back in.


Collect for Evening Prayer

Old Vines
Curlwa NSW L Osburn

God of mercy and grace, we thank you for your ancient people of the promise through whose human actions it was necessary for you to send your Son to be the saviour of the world. We ask that you continue to nurture us all, to help us graft into your family more members and to bring us into your presence, confident in your great love and understanding, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.






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