5 September 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 5 September 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 15 and 16

The first psalm lists the moral characteristics of people who are permitted in the temple. People who tell the truth, care for their neighbour and behave ethically.

The second psalm praises and blesses God and delights in the faithful. The psalmist commits to support people of faith and uses personal testimony of how God has enriched his life.

1 Kings 6: 1 – 14 and 6: 37 – 7: 1

This section tells of the building of the temple, its dimensions and materials. The temple takes 7 years to build and Solomon’s house and administrative centre takes 13 years to build.

Acts 26: 1 – 18

Paul is given permission to speak to King Agrippa. Paul is deferential and glad to be given the opportunity to speak. He tells of his early life and zeal in persecuting Christians. He tells of his encounter on the road to Damascus and the commission he received from Christ to tell the people of other nations the good news of Christ so that they will turn from darkness to light, receive forgiveness for sins and a place among those sanctified through Christ.

Collect for Morning Prayer

In Di's Garden
Mandurah WA L Osburn

God of delight, you love those who are faithful and you support them and make their voices heard to spread your good news to the whole world. Strengthen us this day to give personal testimony on how you have enriched our lives so that we, when the opportunity arises, may step up confident in your love through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saturday 5 September 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 17: 1 – 13 (14) 15 – 16

The psalmist is a faithful and devout person who has been beset by wicked enemies. God’s protection and care is requested. God is asked to overthrow the wickedness. The psalmist wants relationships restored: him with God, the people with God and with him.

Job 10: 8 – 22

Job continues questioning God asking why was such love shown to create him and make him and now it is all being destroyed? If Job is indeed wicked then woe to him. If he is righteous, then he is filled with disgrace when he looks on his condition. He just wants this all to stop so he can have a few days of comfort before death.

1 John 3: 11 – 24

The message from the beginning is that we should love one another. If we hate our brothers and sisters we are murderers. We know love because Christ gave his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for others. We love, not in word and speech but in truth and action. God will judge us not by our heart’s passing emotions but by our abiding relationships with each other.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Suffer the little children to come to me
New Norcia Benedictine Community WA
L Osburn

Holy Lord of relationships and protection, you know people who do wicked things, illness and pain, surround us. With you, we do not want to see any of your creation destroyed. With you and through your example we would rather lay down our lives for others than let them be destroyed. Help us tonight to reflect. Lead us to act in loving truth and begin to restore relationships so that your power is revealed in the world and that all humans receive respite in your grace and care through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.