19 August 2015
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Wednesday 19 August 2015
Morning
Prayer
Psalms 110 and 111
The
first psalm is David, who talks of his Lord being one who sits beside God, who
defeats the enemies of God, whose rule extends beyond Zion and who, on
coronation has priest privileges in the most ancient order of priests.
The
second praises God for great deeds, honour, majesty, enduring righteousness and
mercy. God has sent us redemption. Respecting God is the beginning of wisdom.
2 Samuel 22: 1 – 16
David
exuberantly praises the Lord for saving him from death at the hands of his
enemies. The images used are like a volcanic eruption. David is ecstatic with
what he can do with God’s help. He rejoices utterly in God, the only God: our
God.
Acts 19: 1 – 20
While Apollos is in Corinth Paul returns to Ephesus
and finds people baptised who have not experienced the Holy Spirit. They had
been baptised with the rite of John the Baptist. Paul baptises them in Jesus’
name and they receive the Holy Spirit.
He speaks for three months in the synagogue and when
rejected speaks in the middle of the day in a lecture hall. There are many
miracles performed.
False exorcists come and copy Paul’s work. In one case
a spirit being exorcised says “Jesus I know and Paul I know but who are you?”
and attacks the exorcists who flee wounded.
As the power of the Holy Spirit is known people
believe, confess and repent. The word of the Lord grows and spreads.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
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| Safely grazing Rutherglen Vic L Osburn |
Wednesday 19 August 2015
Evening
Prayer
Psalms 112 and 113
The
first psalm proclaims that the righteous and faithful, who give generously and
stand firm against fear and opposition, will receive good things and good
reputations.
The
second psalm praises God especially for responding to those who are humble and
poor and bringing them to sit with princes. There is no other god like this.
Proverbs 19: 15 – 29
This set of proverbs asks us to re-examine our
priorities, to not be lazy and discusses the value of discipline.
Laziness brings lethargy which means you don’t even
feed yourself when the food is there.
Keeping the commandments, being generous to the poor,
loyal, revering God and understanding that though we might make plans it is
God’s purpose that is established needs to be our focus.
As parents we are to discipline our children because
we believe they will have a future. We need to see a positive future for them.
If a scoffer is admonished the simple will learn
prudence and the intelligent will get knowledge. Listen to advice, keep
learning and become wise.
People with violent tempers pay the penalty and if
someone rescues them their behaviour will repeat. If you are violent to your
father and push your mother away, any reproach you get is a direct consequence.
Romans 12: 1 – 8
Paul appeals to all to come to God and offer our lives
and abilities to God in accordance with the faith we have now and our
abilities. We are to be transformed and renewed.
Paul says we need not till wait until we have “met
certain criteria” to show that we are better than we currently are, to earn
this place in the world’s terms. We are to come now and use the current gifts
we have and according to the current level of our faith. All of us have a
place.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
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| King parrots, crimson rosellas, and a female bower bird Harrietville Vic L Osburn |
God of
inclusion and wisdom you have made a place for all of us when we love you and
love each other. Give us a love of learning so that we are open to advice and
guidance from the wise, know there is a future for us and for our children and
be who we are, doing what we can diligently in your service through Jesus
Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
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