27 January 2016
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Wednesday 27
January 2016
Morning
Prayer
Psalm
68: 1 – 20
A psalm
of praise to a practical God, our God. We are provided with the practical
necessities homes, care for orphans and widows, water, food, crops, protection,
peace and God’s presence – relationship.
Jeremiah 9: 12 – 26
Why
is the land about to be laid waste? It is because the people are stubborn of
heart and are not obeying God’s Law. They are following Baals. God says to
Jeremiah, to call for the wailing women. Let them wail till everyone cries. Let
them teach younger women how to wail too, for people are about to be mown down
like cut grain in the fields.
If
anyone is to boast, let them boast about how they know God who exercises and
delights in kindness, justice and righteousness.
The
day is coming when those who are merely circumcised in the flesh and not in
their hearts, will be punished.
Luke 1: 26 – 38
The angel Gabriel visits
Mary who is pledged to marry Joseph, greets her and calls her the Highly
Favoured One. Gabriel tells her to not be afraid. Gabriel says she will have a
child who is to be named Jesus. God will give him the throne of David and he
will reign over the house of Jacob forever: his kingdom will never end.
How can this be, Mary asks?
Gabriel says that Mary will be filled with the Holy Spirit and God will
overshadow her so that the Holy One born will be the Son of God. Gabriel tells
Mary that Elizabeth, her cousin is already 6 months pregnant for God nothing is
impossible. Mary answers that she is the Lord’s servant and agrees to be part
of this. The angel leaves.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
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| Gang Gang Cockatoos preening Harrietville Vic L Osburn |
Wednesday
27 January 2016
Evening
Prayer
Psalm
68: (21 – 23) 24 – 35
This
section of the psalm moves first to the fierce protection God provides for his
people and then to a procession and celebration of God and the people of
Israel, united in Jerusalem at the temple.
Genesis 15
In a
vision, Abram hears God say that God will shield him and be his great reward.
Abram asks God about his childless state. God assures him that his offspring
will be as numerous as the stars he can see at night. God also says he will
have possession of the land. Abram asks how can he know. God instructs Abram to
collect and slaughter animals for a covenant ritual. At sunset God reveals to
Abram what will be come of the people – they will be taken into slavery and
return. When the sun sets, Abram sees a smoking fire-pot and blazing torch pass
between the two halves of the animals indicating God’s sealing of the covenant.
God specifies the extent of the land given to Abram.
James 3: 1 – 12
We are reminded to take care as teachers and not all
of us should teach since what teachers say is judged more strictly and there
isn’t anyone who makes no mistakes.
The tongue, though small is like a bit in a horse, a
rudder for a ship or a spark of fire in a forest. All are tiny yet guide or
take charge. Our tongues are hard to tame. We will praise God then curse a
person who is made in God’s likeness: this should not be. Salt water and fresh
water do not come from the same spring neither do figs and olives come from the
same tree.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
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| Evening on the Ovens River Harrietville Vic L Osburn |
Holy and gracious God you are the
source of all our provision including our gifts and talents. When enemies,
doubts and our own tongues get in the way and harm our relationships remind us
of your ancient and faithful people who had a close contact with you and
who knew that salt and fresh water do not come from the same spring. Help us to
govern our tongues and choose to treat everyone with respect and dignity so we
too can be springs of your spirit and truth through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
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