9 September 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 9 September 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 22: 1 – 22

This portion of the psalm is a solemn prayer for deliverance from a dreadful illness. It is an illness that has detractors circling the psalmist. The psalmist feels alone and separated from God but is reminded of all the times God was there in the past for the Israelites. The psalmist is humble, asks to be saved not just from the illness but also from any temptation.

1 Kings 8: 37– 53

Solomon continues the prayer of dedication of the temple. He prays that everyone’s prayers be heard, that they be forgiven according to God’s reading of their hearts and even if they are not in the temple but pray towards it and the city they will be heard. Solomon prays too for the foreigners and non-Jews who come to pray – that their prayers be heard. He prays that should God’s anger be kindled and the people suffer and are exiled that they be returned and restored when they repent with all their heart and soul just like God brought the people out of Egypt.

Acts 27: 13 – 32

The boat Paul is on nearly makes a safe harbour but the wind rises. Then comes a wild sea adventure: the cargo has to be thrown overboard, then the ship’s tackle; the sea anchors are put out, the ship is undergirded. Paul encourages all since he knows that he will come safely to Rome and stand before the Emperor, but the ship will run aground. Some of the crew abandon the ship.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Rainforest Stream
The Abbey Benedictine Community
Jamberoo NSW L Osburn

Merciful and loving God you healed people and saved them from stormy tempests. Be with us, our families and our friends this day and keep us faithful and calm in your loving embrace through the pain, through the fear, through the turmoil and bring us safely to you in each precious moment of our lives through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Wednesday 9 September 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 22: 23 – 32 and 23

The second section of the psalm, calls for all people who respect and honour God to give praise, glorify and stand in awe! God has delivered the psalmist from deadly illness and this evidence shows that all God’s promises are secure. The Lord rules in all places and future generations will continue God’s praise.

This is the well-known 23^rd Psalm. The Lord is compared to a shepherd who makes sure the sheep are well pastured, have clean water, are at peace and have nothing to fear. God makes us holy (anoints us) and gives us good things our whole life long even in the valley of the shadow of death and in the presence of enemies.

Job 13

Job counters his friends saying he knows at least as much as they do, that they are speaking falsely of God and that their wise stories have no substance. He wants to and is willing to talk directly with God. The godless and sinful would not dare do this, but Job is confident to approach God and ask what is his sin that has earned such a punishment? Job would ask God to ease his condition and not let him dread God. Job is willing to learn from God – to approach openly and honestly.

1 John 5: 1 –12

When we believe in Christ we are God’s children and we understand in our hearts that Christ is from God through baptism and the crucifixion. We who believe have the Son and therefore have life.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Grevillea
The Abbey Benedictine Community
Jamberoo NSW L Osburn

Awesome God you are worthy to be praised and glorified. You provide for us and even in our darkest moments, sanctified through Christ’s life, crucifixion and resurrection. May we now boldly approach you, confident in your forgiveness and mercy and claim your new, free life as your children through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

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