7 January 2106
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Thursday 7
January 2016
Morning
Prayer
Psalm 19
The sky in silence, every
day and every night shows us that God is magnificent. God’s commandments are
magnificent. They are right, they delight the heart, they are simple, they are
more precious than gold. And the commandments warn us – but can we ever truly
detect all our own faults? David asks for help so that he does not commit
presumptuous sins*. He finishes with:
“Let the words of my
mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord my rock and
my redeemer.”
Proverbs 25: 1 – 19
This set of wise sayings
includes:
God conceals and kings
search out. Kings also conceal things. Like God, kings can’t be questioned.
Clear the dross off first and
then make something. Clearing out the wicked from a king’s presence leads to
righteousness.
Let others decide your
status. It is better to be called forward than to be asked to stand back.
Even if you are an
eyewitness don’t go rushing to court you might have got it wrong. Check it out
to avoid shame coming to yourself.
A good word spoken
appropriately is precious as is a wise rebuke in listening ears.
Faithful messengers are
refreshing.
It is unproductive to all
to boast about something you did not do or give.
You can persuade a ruler
with patience and with softness break the framework within.
If you find treats eat only
enough for you. Don’t always be at your neighbour’s house.
Bearing false witness is
like wielding a weapon of war.
Having trust in someone who
is faithless when you need them is disabling – stops you progress and your
sustenance.
John 4: 39 – 54
As a
result of the Samaritans meeting Jesus, many believe that he is the saviour of
the world and bring others to him. Jesus then moves on to Galilee. There an
official whose son is unwell approaches him. Jesus initially responds with a
comment that people want a sign before they believe. He tells the man that his
son will live and that he may go. The man, on his return, meets people from his
household who tell him his son recovered at the exact time of day Jesus said,
“Your son will live”. The official and his entire household believe.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
 |
| Moon and reflection Harrietville Vic L Osburn |
Thursday 7
January 2016
Evening
Prayer
Psalm 119: 1 – 16
This portion of the psalm
celebrates those who know and follow the laws of God. The psalmist asks to be
taught and to be assisted to follow these laws.
“I will
delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word” (v 16).
Proverbs 25: 20 – 26: 12
Trying to
cheer up someone who has a heavy heart adds to the pain. Sorrow does gnaw away
at our hearts.
If your
enemies hunger and thirst, feed them.
It is
better to live in the attic than have a contentious wife.
When good
people give way to the wicked it is like polluting your drinking water.
Lacking
self-control is like being an unprotected city – easily invaded.
Fools are
not to be honoured. We are to tell them when they are wrong else they will
think themselves wise. It is self-harm to use a fool as a messenger. They will
misuse wise sayings, tools and weapons and cause harm.
Ephesians 4: 17 – 28
Paul warns the Ephesians not to
live their life as people of other nations do; living lives separate from God
and giving themselves to indulgence and lust for more. Instead we are to live
in accordance with the truth in Jesus. We are to put off our old self that was
corrupted with desire and to put on a new self, a new attitude of mind in
righteousness and holiness. We must speak truthfully. When we are angry, we are
not to sin but to resolve the issue before sunset – do not let the evil one get
a foothold. Do work with your own hands so that you have something to share
with others.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
 |
| A new day in the hills Alpine National Park Vic L Osburn |
Holy Lord you want us to grow strong
and secure and wise in our faith and lives with you. Help us to forgive
ourselves and others tonight and to start tomorrow fresh with a desire to live
according to the truth in Jesus with a new self, a new mind and a new attitude through
Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Please leave a comment or
feedback.
*Presumptious sins are:
1.
When we do
know better
2.
When we
deliberately plan to do it or keep nurturing the thought about doing it, or
have built up a habit of a particular sin
3.
Sinning to
show total disregard for God
4.
Thinking
that we are immune from a particular type of sin because we are strong or “able
to manage it”. This is risky.
And, “I’ll
repent tomorrow…” presumes a tomorrow.
From
REV. C. H. Spurgeon 1857
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