8 January 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 8 January 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalms 20 and 21: 1 – 7 (8 – 13)

The first psalm begins as a bidding prayer asking that God will answer your prayers, protect you in times of trouble, grant you your heart’s desire and fulfil all your plans. It was originally about the king. God is the one in whom the community trusts, not men or chariots. The psalmist knows God will help.

The second psalm takes this theme of the power being with God and the king’s dependence on God in all things.

Proverbs 26: 13 – 28

These proverbs cover laziness and communication in relationships.

Lazy people construct irrational reasons not to do things; they might put effort in but don’t take the outcome even if it is to feed themselves and they have a greater view of their worth than others.

Meddling in someone else’s quarrel causes trouble.

A person who deceives and then says, “I was only joking” is like a maniac shooting randomly.

If there’s nothing fuelling a fire it will go out. Whisperers and quarrelsome people kindle fires.

Whispers go deep and those with smooth lips but an evil heart are like glaze on a very basic pot – pretty but they will crumble.

Don’t believe it when an enemy speaks graciously – there is deceit within.

If you dig a pit or start a rock rolling you will fall in or he hurt by it.

John 5: 1 – 18

Jesus meets a man who is ill at the five-porticos spring baths. When the water agitates it is thought to have healing properties. Jesus asks him does he want to be made well. Jesus tells him to take up his mat and walk. He does so. The man is seen carrying his bed and confronted by a group of Jews who remind him it is unlawful to do work on the Sabbath. The man explains and cannot identify Jesus. Later he and Jesus meet at the temple. Jesus says, “See you have been made well! Do not sin anymore so that nothing worse happens to you” (v.14).

The healed man tells the group of Jews that it was Jesus and the persecution begins. Jesus says that his Father is still working so Jesus is also working. Thus these Jews wanted Jesus dead not only for breaking the rule of the Sabbath but also for claiming God as his father thus making himself equal to God.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Even play takes effort
Busselton WA  L Osburn

O God our protector, healer, guide and friend, help us to depend on you in all things and to put aside our beds and our comforts, get up and receive your blessings so that we may serve you all our days in humility and truth through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Friday 8 January 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalms 24 and 26

The Lord of hosts is the King of glory, is the focus of this psalm. The world and everything in it is God’s. Those who aspire to heaven are the pure and righteous.

The second psalm is from a person who is faithful and has integrity and who has been falsely accused. The psalm asks God to look inside and to bring redemption.

Proverbs 27: 1 - 19

These proverbs are about humility, dealing with difficult people and being in love and not engaging in adultery (perfume might gladden the heart but trouble tears at the soul). It has compassionate understanding for example for those who are full it is easy to reject sweet things but for those who are starving even the bitter tastes sweet.

When calamity comes we are to support our neighbours and get support from them not flee to our far away families. We are to hide when there is danger.

If you get up early in the morning and bless your neighbour with a loud voice the neighbour will perceive it as a curse.

A continual drip from rain is like a contentious wife and neither can be restrained or held.

Two smart people make each other smarter.

Just as you look after your fruit trees and they bear fruit so looking after your leader leads to honour.

Water reflects the face. Human hearts reflect each other.

Ephesians 4: 29 – 5: 5

Use our words to build each other up in grace. Put aside bitterness and wrath and wrangling and instead be kind to one another, forgiving and tender hearted. God has forgiven us therefore let us imitate God and forgive each other as God’s beloved children. Keep away for fornication, greed, silly talk, and instead give thanks. Be sure that no idolater (this means the greedy) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Smooth sailing
Off Busselton WA  L Osburn

Holy God you are the king of glory, everything is yours and we are your precious children. Help us to work and live and play with each other gently and in peace and love so that we make each other smarter, wiser, more compassionate and build communities of faith and hope and love in your name through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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