9 January 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 9 January 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 22: 1 – 22

This portion of the psalm is a solemn prayer for deliverance from a dreadful illness. It is an illness that has detractors circling the psalmist. The psalmist feels alone and separated from God but is reminded of all the times God was there in the past for the Israelites. The psalmist is humble, asks to be saved not just from the illness but also from any temptation.

Proverbs 27: 20 – 28: 10

As human desire, like death and hell is never satisfied and being praised is a testing fire for the quality of a person, and foolishness can’t be taken out of a fool this set of proverbs compares the evil choice with the righteous choice.

First, when times are good and you are well off, care for the things that bring you income because wealth does not last for ever.

Second, the wicked run away even when no one pursues but the righteous stand firm and bold.

Third leadership is contrasted: in a rebellious land there are many rulers but an intelligent leader beings lasting order and a ruler who oppresses the poor is like a constant beating rain that stops food production.

Fourth, those who forsake the law praise the wicked, don’t understand justice, their prayers are an abomination, they bring shame to their parents, they mislead the upright into evil and will fall into pits of their own making. Those who keep the law struggle against the wicked, understand justice, might be poor but keep their integrity, are wise children and, will have a goodly inheritance.

If you make wealth by charging exorbitant interest, you gather it for someone who is kind to the poor.

John 5: 19 – 29

Jesus says he models what he does on God, through his relationship with God. God loves Jesus and shows him what God is doing. God will show greater works than Jesus has done so far. Raising the dead – giving life – and judging are things Jesus has been given to do. Whoever does not honour Jesus does not honour the father.

Those who hear Jesus’s voice and truly believe pass from death to life.

Collect for Morning Prayer

2 Paths
Blackwood River near Sue's Bridge
WA  L Osburn

Holy Lord, you give us the power to choose our path and our behaviour, our character and our integrity. Take us in your gentle embrace and help us see each other as you see us so that we are models of your love, gentleness and grace in the world through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Saturday 9 January 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 63

As a drought-ravaged land seeks water so our souls seek God. God’s love is better than life. God’s love is like a rich feast. Meditating on God causes our souls to sing.

The psalm ends with a plea for personal security.

Joshua 3

To cross the Jordan into the Promised Land Joshua has the priests carry the ark of the Lord to the edge of the river. The river pulls back. They take it to the centre and all the army of Joshua and the people pass safely to the other side. Before leaving Joshua commands that rocks be removed from the centre of the river and placed on the shore of the new land. Then the ark is brought to dry land.

Mark 10: 32 – 45

Jesus leads the way to Jerusalem. The disciples are astonished – the followers are afraid. Jesus predicts his betrayal, mocking, beating, condemning to death, death and resurrection.

James and John the sons of Zebedee confess their loyalty and want positions of power and authority in Jesus’s kingdom. Jesus tells them they do not know what they are asking for and asks can they really go through what he is about to endure? They say they will. Jesus replies that indeed they will but to give them a position of power in the kingdom is not for him to grant.

When the other disciples hear about the brothers they are indignant. Jesus clarifies that those who wish to lead need to be servants. Jesus came not to be served but to serve.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Blackwood River
WA  L Osburn

Wonderful God, you teach us and show us that we are to put you first, that our souls seek you and that your love is better than life. Hold us gently now as we reflect on our day and recall the times were we sought to serve others. Strike up a song of praise and thanksgiving in our hearts for these your gifts of grace through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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