18 August 2015
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Tuesday 18 August 2015
Morning
Prayer
Psalm 107: 1 – 22
Whether
we are lost in a dry place, imprisoned or sick we are encouraged to “cry to the
Lord whose steadfast love endures forever”.
2 Samuel 21: 1 – 14 (15 – 22)
There is a famine in the land. David consults God and
discerns that there is an unpaid debt to the Gibeonites. Saul had begun a
campaign of genocide against them. David has talks with the Gibeonites and asks
what they want to expiate the debt. They ask for 7 of Saul’s sons. David takes
2 of Saul’s sons and 5 grandsons. He keep Jonathon’s son, Mephiboseth safe.
The seven are killed and their bodies exposed. Rizpah
the mother of the two sons of Saul keeps vigil over the bodies day and night
throughout summer until the rains fall.
David has compassion, retrieves the bones of these
seven and those of Jonathon and Saul. He has them all properly buried in their
ancestral place in the land of Benjamin. The drought ends.
The Philistines again wage war. David is tired and is
aided by Abishai. David is now too old to go out into battle. There are more
battles and in each there are giants. Israel prevails.
Acts 18: 18 – 28
Paul with Priscilla and Aquila goes to Syria. In Ephesus
he discusses in the synagogue is welcomed and says he needs to move on but will
return. He travels to Caesarea and up to Jerusalem to the church there then to
Galatia and beyond.
Meanwhile Apollos from Alexandria arrives in Ephesus.
He knows scripture, speaks well, is enthusiastic but has limited knowledge of
Christ. Aquila and Priscilla speak with him to fill out his knowledge so that
he can better present the Way of God. Apollos is encouraged in his ministry to
go to Achaia. While he is there he helps the believers since he is able to
powerfully refute the Jews in public and show that the Messiah is Jesus.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
Living Water: Stained glass window St Saviour's Gladstone Qld L Osburn |
Holy and
wonderful Lord all our praise and thanks go to you. Whether we are lost,
imprisoned, and sick, in a drought, in battles or lacking in knowledge and
struggling with our tasks you are there with us and bring us through if we cry
out to you and listen to you. Today, help us pray. Help us bring our lives and
concerns to you. Help us listen to you so that we may benefit from your
steadfast and enduring love through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the
power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.
Tuesday 18 August 2015
Evening
Prayer
Psalm
107: 23 – 43
We are
reminded that faithfulness leads to hope and pride to being brought low. We are
to call on the Lord for our great provision.
Proverbs 18: 22 – 19: 14
The themes in these proverbs revolve around wives, the
relationships between rich and poor, foolish and wise behaviour and having
integrity.
Having a wife is favourable and a prudent one is a
blessing. A quarrelling wife is like a dripping tap – not as bad as a child
whose behaviour brings ruin on the family.
People are friendly with the rich and seek their
favour generosity and gifts. The poor have fewer friends and sometimes are
hated by their kin and shunned by friends but a real friend stands by closer
than kin. The poor plead and the rich speak roughly.
It is better to be poor with integrity that a fool
with perverse speech living in luxury. Liars and those giving false witness
will be found out and punished.
We know folly leads to ruin yet we desire things
without knowledge, rush things and miss the path and fail to get wisdom and
understanding. Our hearts rage against God.
If we have good sense we will be slow to anger and
overlook some offenses. The favour of a ruler is like dew on the grass but the
ruler’s anger is like a growling lion.
It isn’t right for a fool to live in luxury and a
slave to rule over princes.
Romans 11: 25 – 36
Paul explains that it is a mystery. He says that
Israel will reject Christ until all the people from other countries know Christ
as saviour and redeemer. Jews might reject the gospel but they are God’s people
through God’s promises to their ancestors. We can never know the ways and mind
of God. All we can know is that all things are from God, through God and to
God. Paul glorifies God.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Stained glass window St Saviour's Gladstone Qld L Osburn |
God of
mystery and wonder, we know your ways are beyond us yet we are full of pride.
We struggle to follow ancient wisdom and keep ourselves from foolishness. Keep
our hearts open and obedient to you and keep us faithful so that we are the
people of your promise and praise and glorify your name through Jesus Christ
your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
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