3 August 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 3 August 2015 

Morning Prayer   

Psalm 78: 16 – 38

This portion of the psalm recounts the complaints against God when the Israelites are in the desert with Moses. Water is produced from rocks, food falls from heaven, both bread and birds. They have little faith and yet when they repent, God forgives.

2 Samuel 14: 4 – 24

A wise woman from Tekoa on instructions of Joab comes to King David in mourning attire. She tells the story that one of her sons has killed the other son. The living son is being pursued by the family to pay for the death with his own life. This would leave the woman and her husband without a son and heir. David promises protection for the woman and her household. She presses the King who says not even one hair from the head of her son will be harmed.

She then says David is convicting himself since he is not bringing his own son Absalom home from banishment. She says that everyone has to die at some point and God will work out plans not to have people separated from God’s presence. She says that David has the power.

David asks whether Joab is behind this ruse. The woman answers honestly and is surprised by David’s discernment. David orders Joab to retrieve Absalom and to take him to his own house and not to bring him into David’s presence.

Joab shows his obedience and does as David commands.

John 10: 40 – 11: 16

Jesus goes to the place where John was last baptising people. Many believe in him and recall that everything John said about the Messiah is fulfilled in Jesus.

He hears that Lazarus is ill. He waits two days then starts the journey back to Judea. The disciples are afraid for his safety. He talks about walking in the light and the protection of God. Jesus has to tell them plainly that Lazarus is dead.  Thomas declares his faith; even if it means they are going to die he says let us go with Jesus.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Road hone through the desert
Western NSW 2003 L Osburn

God of forgiveness and grace, even though we persistently do the wrong thing you will do everything to bring us back in a right relationship with you. Help us to repent and to know that through Christ even though we are so far banished as to be dead to you yet you alone can bring us back, so that our lives can be a testament to your love, your compassion and your glory through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Monday 3 August 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 78: 39 - 70

The psalmist shows how short the memories of humans are and how fickle. The Israelites in the desert did not remember or take into account the miracles of God that enabled their freedom. They had little faith. God held on and made decisions about the future of the people and who would lead them, for example choosing the line of Judah rather than the line of Joseph: choosing David and Mt Zion. Whether humans are faithful or not, God still guides them.

Baruch 1: 1 – 14

Baruch writes this book in Babylon during the exile. It is read before all the nobles and elders of the community. On hearing it the people weep and send to Jerusalem money, the silver temple vessels captured and brought to Babylon and the scroll. They ask the people in Jerusalem to use the money for burnt and sin offerings, and incense on the altar of God, to pray for the rulers in Babylon and for the exiles and especially for the exiles’ sins. They are to read the scroll and make their confession on all the festivals to come.

Romans 7: 1 – 12

Paul compares Christians to a widow who since her husband has died is free to remarry. While her husband was alive the law binds her and remarriage is adultery.

Before the Law, we did not know what sin was. The Law makes it clear. For instance it tells us what envy is. Now we know we are open to being envious. Sin sneaks in and we are slaves to it. The Law is good it does not cause us to sin. We however, since our focus is on Jesus and not on ourselves, are freed from the pull of sin.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Sturt Desert Peas
Broken Hill NSW 2003 L Osburn

Wonderful and loving God you have given us a new way to think, to reflect and to respond to you. Instead of focusing on our disobedience and breaking of your commandments, constantly seeking out and focusing on our sin, you gave your only Son and his life giving sacrifice for all as our focus. Keep our eyes, hearts and minds on Christ’s self-sacrificing love so that we die to self, show love and compassion for others and bring your kingdom into reality on earth through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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