20 January 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 20 January 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 48

This psalm praises Mt Zion City of God its walls and grandeur. Moreover, it is the place where God can be found and kings approaching fall and fail once they recognise God dwells here. In the temple the people ponder God’s steadfast love and praise God’s name throughout the earth. The psalmist tells us to come to the holy city, walk around; go into the citadels so that we can tell our children and their children that this God, our God will be our guide forever.

Jeremiah 6: 1 –15

Jeremiah tells people to flee the oncoming catastrophe. The city will be punished and destroyed for its wickedness, oppression and hypocrisy. The people are unable to hear or heed the warning and they find God’s word offensive. People are greedy, including the prophets and priests. They wish each other peace but oppress and are not ashamed of their conduct.

John 8: 12 – 20

Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (v. 12). The Pharisees dispute with him that this assessment is not valid. Jesus says that because he knows his origins and what is to come, even if this is a self-assessment, it is valid. God, his father is his witness.

Collect for Morning Prayer

A push-bike mounted on a pole...
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Lord of wonder and light, you want us to come to you, to the place you dwell. You want us to explore your city and the beauty of the things you have established and to do so in the full light of Christ. Help us to identify and reject all wickedness, hypocrisy and oppression. Open our ears to hear your word and find it refreshing balm. Bring us to humble repentance for the harms we have done to you and to others so that we may truly come to you, walk your paths and do so in your light through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday 20 January 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 49

This is a riddle psalm / song.

Why should we worry about persecutors, the wealthy? No one can live forever. The wise and foolish die too. All possessions are left to others. Mortals can’t abide all the pomp of life – we will die. Those who are pleased with their lot will die. But God will ransom my soul and receive me.

Don’t be afraid when someone becomes richer and they are happy in their life. They and they ancestors will be gone. Mortals can’t abide all the pomp of life – we will die.

Genesis 8

God sends the wind, stops the rain and the water springing from the ground. The ark comes to rest. Mountaintops emerge. Noah sends out a raven, which flies back and forth until the waters recede. He sends out a dove. The dove returns. On her second flight she brings back an olive leaf. On the third flight, she does not return. Noah begins to remove the covers from the ark, finds that the earth is dry and releases the animals. Noah uses some of the clean animals for a sacrifice on a new altar. The Lord promises never again to destroy humans and animals as the flood has done.

Colossians 3: 18 – 4: 6

In these instructions of how we behave with each other God’s rule comes first. There is no instruction to be obedient to others who act sinfully or use harmful behaviours against us. Those in position of power are to show love and mercy and know that God will pay back wrongs done, impartially.

When we work, we are to work as if we are working for God. Our real reward and inheritance is from God.

We are to pray, give thanks, pray for Christians who are in prison on account of their faith, conduct ourselves wisely and be efficient, speak graciously to others in thoughtfully, informed not flowery ways.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Female crimson rosella
Harrietville Vic  L Osburn

Lord of mercy and grace we give you thanks and praise for your gifts of love. Keep our hearts, eyes and ears open to you so that we may never be intimidated but show your love, mercy and respect for all especially the vulnerable and oppressed through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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