Sunday 23 August 2015

24 August 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 


Monday 24 August 2015 
Morning Prayer   

24

Psalms 130, 131 and 133

The first psalm is a lament and recognition of God’s forgiveness and steadfast love. The second describes deep humility: a calmed and quieted soul that waits in trust for the Lord. The third psalm rejoices in family peace and harmony.

2 Samuel 24: 1 – 14

David is impelled to conduct a census of the people. He requires Joab and the army commanders to do it. Joab protests and asks the purpose of the exercise and what are David’s intended outcomes. Joab takes the census and the route is given in the text.

Gad the prophet, comes to David and says that God has given him 3 choices of punishment: a three-year drought, being pursued by an enemy or a three-day pestilence. David hand himself to God’s mercy rather than to human hands.

Acts 21: 1 – 14

Paul continues his journey towards Jerusalem. At Tyre disciples warn him not to go to Jerusalem. He travels to Caesarea and at Philip’s house a prophet Agabus from Judea arrives, takes Paul’s belt and ties his own hands and feet with it saying that the Jews will bind Paul thus and hand him to the Gentiles. Paul says he is willing and ready to be bound and even to die for Christ in Jerusalem. The people in Philip’s house became silent except to say, “The Lord’s will be done”.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Peacefully grazing
Eurobin Vic. L Osburn
 Holy and gracious Lord your forgiveness is eternal and when we trust in you we feel deep quiet and peace. Help us hand our lives and futures to you, trusting in your mercy so that we, your family members, walk in peace and harmony with your will through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.







Monday 24 August 2015
Evening Prayer

Psalms 132 and 134

The first psalm is a reminder to God that David promised to bring the Ark of the Covenant to a permanent dwelling in Jerusalem. God indicates that if David’s offspring keep the commandments then the dynasty will last.

The second psalm is a blessing. Come bless the Lord. Lift up your hands and bless the Lord. May the Lord bless the earth.

Job 1

Job is a very wealthy and successful property owner with a large family who can afford to have rotating feasts in their homes. After each feast Job makes sin offerings in case any of his offspring might have sinned.

The story has “the accuser” talking with God and pointing out that it is easy for a successful, protected person to love God. Does Job love God for God’s sake or for the benefits that come to him? The accuser is given permission to take Job’s possessions but not to harm him. On one day Job loses all his crops, livestock and family. Job rises, tears his robe, shaves his head and worships he says, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I shall return there: the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (v.21). Job does not sin or charge God with wrongdoing.

Romans 14: 13 – 23

We are not to pass judgement on each other and we are not to cause others to stumble. For example, with eating rites, we are neither to offend by eating something our brother or sister deems unclean nor to make them eat it. We are not to push food restrictions on others for it might divert the person from Christ and salvation. We are to pursue peace for mutual encouragement. All food is clean but it isn’t good to eat or drink things that make others stumble. If someone’s conscience says they should not eat something, then eating it is sin. We are to respect people dietary considerations.


Collect for Evening Prayer

Ruins of the old telegraph station
Eucla WA L Osburn
Eternal God in all times and in all circumstances you are the same Lord who loves us and wants us to be in relationship with you. Help us through the joys, the tragedies, the gains, the losses, the diversity and the challenges life brings so that we may always bless you, worship you and treat each other with respect and love through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.


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