21 January 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 21 January 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 50

Almighty God who rules over the entire planet rebukes the people and explains that God does not need sacrifices of animals. God already owns all the creatures and plants of the earth. God instead requires thanksgiving and praise.

For those who do evil, slander others and hate discipline they have no right to recite the commandments.

“Mark this, then you who forget God” (v.23). Those who bring thanksgiving honour God and those who go the right way, God will save.

Jeremiah 6: 16 –30

Jeremiah proclaims that the Lord says the people need to see themselves at a crossroad and search for the ancient way, follow that and find rest for their souls. But the people do no listen or follow. Destruction will come. The fancy sacrifices and incense have no use. A ruthless army is coming. Reports of the army make people powerless. There is terror coming. The time of testing of the people is coming.

John 8: 21 – 30

Jesus says he will be going away, that people will look for him and die in their sin if they do not believe in who he says he is.  He goes on to say that no one can follow his path, that he is following God’s path and speaking God’s words. When Christ is raised up the people will know who he is, and what he has done. Many believe in him.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Gang Gang Cockatoo
Harrietville  Vic  L Osburn

Steadfast and loving God, you have given us your scriptures to teach us and sent your Son to free us and redeem us. Be with us today. Give us opportunities to trust in you and to give you thanks and praise. Help us to recall each instance later so that we may trust you more and praise you more tomorrow and every day through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Thursday 21 January 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 41 – 64

The earth is full of God’s steadfast love and the psalmist wants to be taught and affirmed and encouraged in understanding and living by God’ statutes. Through this the psalmist will have the words to say to those who taunt and the confidence to give testimony to kings. The psalmist identifies all the ways the commandments and statutes of the Lord enrich life.

Genesis 9

God blesses Noah and his sons and grants them the right to eat not only plants but also animals. God states that those who shed the blood of humans will in turn have their blood shed. God establishes a covenant using the rainbow as a sign that never more will there be total destruction like the flood. From Noah’s sons come all the people of the earth.

Noah plants a vineyard, harvests and makes wine. He becomes drunk and when asleep Ham who is the ancestor of the Canaanites sees his naked body and tells his brothers. Shem and Japheth bring a cover and walk into the place backward so that they see nothing and preserve Noah’s privacy. When Noah wakes and finds out what Ham did, he curses him that he will be a slave for his brothers. Noah blesses God for Shem (ancestor of all Semitic peoples) and Japheth whose territory will be far. After many more years Noah dies.

Colossians 4: 7 – 18

Paul offers his final greetings and grace to the Colossians recommending the disciples who are bringing the letter and reminding them that they are in everyone’s prayers particularly Epaphras – who is one of their people. Paul asks his chains to be remembered.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Rainbow after the sleet
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Holy, loving and generous God, you give us the opportunity for new beginnings and new life, new hearts and new minds through the death and resurrection of Jesus your Son our Lord. Fill us with joy, thanks and praise for you today. Make us shine like your rainbow within our hearts so that we become your promise in this world you love through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

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