4 September 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 4 September 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalms 11 and 12

The psalmist disputes the claim one should run from enemies. The psalmist will stand firm. He says that if the foundation collapses, then all are powerless. The psalmist trusts in the Lord – the firm foundation.

The psalmist laments the lack of faithful people. People make promises and are unreliable. The poor and the needy suffer as a result but, the Lord is faithful forever and pure.

1 Kings 5

King Hiram of Tyre had always been a friend to King David. Solomon asks his to assist in providing the wood to build a house for the name of God. Unlike David who had wars to fight, Solomon has peace and so is able to build the house. Solomon wants cedars from Lebanon and cypress. He will provide some labourers and is willing to pay what King Hiram asks. Hiram asks for his household to be fed and Solomon provides 20 cors of wheat and 20 cors of oil annually. The two kings make a treaty.

King Solomon also conscripts labourers to assist. They go on rotation one month as labourers in Lebanon and two months at home. Solomon has labourers, stonecutters and supervisors. They quarry great amounts of stone for the foundations of the temple.

Acts 25: 13 – 27

When King Agrippa and his wife Bernice come to visit, Festus tells them about Paul. He says he must send him to the Emperor but he does not know what to write on the accompanying letter. Festus says there are no real charges and no evidence, just points of religion. King Agrippa agrees to hear Paul. The next day Paul is brought before the King, the military tribunes and the prominent people of the city.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Snow drops
Harrietville L Osburn

God of firm resolve and new beginnings, you are there to support us when we must stand for our beliefs, and for you and against enemies and those of little faith. At the same time you are there with us as we start anew, work together in peace and build our communities and our futures. Help us know your presence today so that we confidently call on you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Friday 4 September 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 13 and 14

These psalms are laments for personal deliverance from enemies and from a cynical age. The psalmist remains faithful proclaiming God’s deliverance of Israel and care for the poor.

Job 9: 25 – 10: 7

Job laments his situation and he know that making light of it – being cheerful in spite of everything – is not going to work. Washing himself, scrubbing himself will not work the illness covers him again in muck. Calling on some umpire between God and Job is equally a fantasy. If God should take this all away Job would speak without fear and ask God to not condemn him and to let Job know what he did wrong.

Job asks, does it seem good to God to take something created and oppress it and despise it? Does God see the same way people see? Does God experience life as we experience it so that God investigates Job’s life to find his sin while Job had no defence?

1 John 3: 1 – 10

The writer explains that through Christ we have been made children of God and when Christ is revealed we will be seen to be like Him. So we will do the right thing and not sin. Anyone who sins and does not love their brothers and sisters is not from God and they will be revealed for who they are.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Violets
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

God of healing, grace and deliverance, we know you care for us and sent your Son to bring us salvation. Keep us your faithful and loving people, steadfast in you even though we confront opposition, cynicism, poverty and illness so that when you come you will recognise us as your own dear children through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.