21 August 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 21 August 2015 

Morning Prayer   

Psalms 121, 122 and 123

In these three psalms the themes are the eternal faithfulness of God and how God cares for us; the joy and gladness we experience as we enter the house of the Lord with a prayer for safety and peace in Jerusalem, and finally, a prayer for deliverance from those who ridicule and oppress us.

2 Samuel 22: 32 – 51

David continues his great psalm of praise for deliverance from enemies and as the warrior king he had to be. David describes his supremacy in the battle. He is more subdued at the end, blessing God, extoling God’s name, praising God for his steadfast love and care.

Acts 20: 1 – 16

When the trouble in Ephesus quiets Paul continues his mission onwards through Macedonia and Greece. In Troas while talking late into the night a young man falls asleep and topples off the building. He is thought to be dead. Paul goes to him and announces that he is alive. The boy is taken home, alive. Paul breaks bread with the people and travels on eager to get to Jerusalem if possible for Pentecost.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Tiny bird
Eurobin Vic L Osburn

Magnificent, loving, gracious and steadfast God, we praise you and thank you for your constant care. Keep us focused on your love for us today so that we may share it with those we meet and live this day to your glory through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Friday 21 August 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 129 – 152

The psalmist declares a passion for the scripture and the commandments.  There is a request to learn and know them better. There too is recognition that others do not share this zeal and that leads to persecution. There is a plea to be saved from harm.

Proverbs 20: 18 – 21: 8

Take advice when planning: take guidance before going into battle.

Stay away from gossips: they reveal secrets.

If you curse your parents you won’t see your own hope: it damages your spirit.

Begin slowly – things acquired quickly won’t be blessed at the end.

Don’t say, “I’ll repay evil”: wait for God.

God has the right is the set of scales to judge. We can’t judge ourselves using our measures. God orders our lives.

It is a trap to think something is holy, take a vow then reflect on things. Reflect first.

A wise ruler sorts out the wicked and drives over them because loyalty and faithfulness are what keeps the ruler’s position.

Young people are beautiful in their strength and old people in their experience.

When we are hurt we can use that to clear out our own faults.

Romans 13

Paul teaches that we are not above the laws of the land and should be subject to laws and rulers, pay our taxes and respect.

We are not to be in debt to anyone except to love them. We are to behave well, not steal or covet and to love our neighbours as ourselves.

We are now to wake from sleep. Salvation is nearer now than it was yesterday. Let us put on the armour of light – Jesus, live honourably and not have any time for gratifying the self.

Collect for Evening Prayer

From Eurobin
Vic L Osburn

Holy Lord, you bring us to a calm and reflecting space to consider our day and our lives. Free us from harshly judging others and ourselves. Bring us to your mercy and remind us that you are the one who does the ordering so that we may be awake, love each other and love ourselves and be full of hope and your Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

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