5 August 2015
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Wednesday 5 August 2015
Morning
Prayer
Psalms 82 and 84
The first psalm sets a scene of God judging all the
other Gods. They lack knowledge or compassion. They will be destroyed. The
psalmist petitions God alone to judge the earth.
A day living in the presence of God is better than
anything imaginable. A journey to God’s dwelling place is filled with
refreshment: “they go from strength to strength” (v. 7).
2 Samuel 15: 7 - 23
Absalom asks David for permission to go and worship at
Hebron. David grants this. Unknown to David, Absalom takes 200 men and has
arranged that at the sound of a trumpet people in all the tribes are to shout
that Absalom is king. David decides to flee Jerusalem to protect the city from
bloodshed. He leaves some of his concubines.
Ittai, the Gittite is a recent arrival in Jerusalem.
David tells him to remain but Ittai is loyal to David and with his family
follows David into the wilderness. All the people weep as they leave Jerusalem.
John 11: 38 – 54
Jesus comes to Lazarus’s tomb and asks for help to
open it. Martha warns him of the stench. Jesus reminds her that he had just
said, if she believed she would see the glory of God. Jesus prays aloud so that
all understand God is doing this not Jesus. He calls Lazarus who comes out.
Jesus instructs them to free Lazarus from the wrappings.
The Jews who witness Lazarus’s restoration believe in
Jesus and spread the news. The Pharisees and chief priests are aware of a
potential backlash from the Roman occupation forces. Caiaphas says that it is
better for one person to die for the nation than for everyone to be destroyed
and Caiaphas prophesies that Jesus’s death would not only be for the nation but
all the children of God. Jesus knows the risks and goes north towards the
wilderness.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
Sand dunes Near Broken Hill NSW 2003 L Osburn |
Almighty
God you are the one true God of compassion and grace. You alone are eternal.
You alone have power over death. You are with us, whether we are fleeing
oppression or threat. Hold us in your calm embrace so that our hearts may feel
your strength and your refreshment through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Wednesday 5 August 2015
Evening
Prayer
Psalms 85 and 87
The first psalm reminds us all of God’s forgiveness
and historical evidence of restoring people of faith. The psalmist asks for
quiet to listen to God who will speak peace to the faithful and give salvation.
“Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss
each other” (v.10).
The second psalm is of praise for Zion, the mother
city of believers everywhere. It is the basis for the hymn “Glorious things of
you are spoken, Zion city of our God.”
Baruch 2: 19 – 3: 8
The prayer of repentance continues with the people
acknowledging that all that Moses said would have if the people did not obey
has indeed happened. They are small in number, in exile and scattered. They
accept that they have bee “stiff-necked people”. As the ancient writings
indicate they will repent in exile and ask to be restored and God will restore
them. They ask God to forgive their actions and remember the promises to their
ancestors. They begin to praise God while still in exile. They accept their
current situation.
Romans 8: 1 – 8
For those who are in Christ there is no condemnation.
Those who live according to the Spirit, who set their minds on the things of
the Spirit, will have life and peace. Those who set their minds on selfish
concerns – on their needs and achievements will find only death.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Church in a desert town Silverton NSW 2003 L Osburn |
Holy and
merciful God you keep on loving us and saving us and restoring us. Keep our
hearts and minds focused on you so that our spirit seeks your life and your
peace and we cannot help but sing your praise with love and thanksgiving all
our days through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Please leave a comment or feedback.
No comments:
Post a Comment