1 February 2016
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Monday 1 February
2016
Morning
Prayer
Psalm
74
This
psalm is one of community lament.
Enemies have come and destroyed the city, the temple and everything that
gives identity to the people. An appeal is made to God using stories of
creation and provision for the people. The enemy ridicules and the soul of the
people is at risk of being destroyed. The psalmist asks to Lord to rise up for
the people’s sake.
Jeremiah
12: 1 – 13 (14 – 17)
Jeremiah
asks God why the wicked prosper and how do they get away with talking about God
but having godless hearts? God answers warning Jeremiah that matters will get
worse. God will allow the city and the people to be destroyed and the people
will go into exile. They will then be restored if they believe in God and be
reestablished as God’s people. If not, they will be utterly destroyed.
Luke 2: 1 – 7
Caesar Augustus decrees a census of the Roman Empire. All have to
return to their town of birth. Joseph and Mary go back to Bethlehem. Mary is
betrothed to Joseph and she is pregnant. While they are in Bethlehem the baby
is born. She wraps the baby in cloths and places him in an animal food trough
because there is no room in the inn.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
Wagon remains "Mulberry Vale" Broken Hill NSW L Osburn |
Holy merciful and wondrous God, even though the world
barely considers you still you came to us as a tiny helpless baby boy cradled
in an animal food trough. Bring us to humility and thankfulness giving praise
to you for the gift of this new day and of your son Jesus Christ your Son our
Lord and saviour. Amen.
Monday 1
February 2016
Evening
Prayer
Psalms
121 and 123
In
these two psalms the themes are the eternal faithfulness of God and how God
cares for us, and a prayer for deliverance from those who ridicule and oppress
us.
Exodus
13: 1 – 2 and 11 – 16
God
tells Moses that the first-born males are to be offered to him. Lambs can be
sacrificed, donkeys kept and a lamb substituted for them. Humans are offered to
God, not sacrificed. The story of the exodus from Egypt and festival of the
unleavened bread is to be kept in perpetuity.
Hebrews 10: 1 – 10
Unlike
other sacrifices Christ’s erases all memory of sin.
The
writer makes it clear that Jesus said sacrifices and burnt offerings are not
what God wants. God wants us to do his will. There is a new covenant sealed by
Jesus. Our sins are forgiven.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Church Silverton NSW L Osburn |
Holy God you care so much for us that you gave your
son to take all our sins away once and forever. Give us your grace to offer our
lives to you so that we may forever be faithful just as you are faithful to us through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
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