Tuesday 1 March 2016

2 March 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 2 March 2016
Morning Prayer

Psalms 5 and 6

This first psalm asks for God to hear the prayers of the victim of harmful lies. God has no time for wickedness. The psalmist will go to the temple knowing that he too is not yet righteous and needs help to stay on the path. The psalmist takes the problem to God and does not retaliate. Instead he asks for all who take refuge in the Lord to experience joy and protection and exult and bless the Lord.

Debilitating and terrifying illness has struck the psalmist. It is shaking the psalmist’s faith. God is asked to lovingly respond. The psalmist stands against evil and proclaims the Lord’s swift response.
                       
Jeremiah 32: 36 – 33: 9

Jeremiah experiences more encounters with God who tells him that the city will be destroyed and it will also eventually be healed. Those in exile will return. The city shall be united and prosper again.

Luke 16: 1 – 13

This story of a dishonest steward is used to instruct the disciples that we can use our possessions to gain not lose our future. We can be shrewd in the management of the resources for the greater final end – salvation for us and for many.  The second message is that the little things we do in our communities and do faithfully really do matter.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Old bridge at Avenel
Vic   L Osburn

Generous God, you give us what we need in season. Sometimes that does mean you ask us to wait. Help us to be competent and skilled stewards of the resources in our care so that we use them to build a future with you for us and for many and be patient, through Jesus Christ our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.







Wednesday 2 March 2016
Evening Prayer

Psalms 7 and 8

In the first psalm, someone who was an ally has been harmed and the blame is being focused on the psalmist. The psalmist seeks God’s protection, calls on God to search him out and judge. The psalmist is also aware that the snares the wicked set can turn against them. The psalmist is confident in a right relationship with God and is willing to repent. The psalmist promises to praise God when rescued.

God’s majesty is praised. Every human sound is praise to God. And the psalmist marvels at that. How is it that humans have such a special place when we consider the expanse of the heavens? The psalm ends in awe, wonder and praise.

Genesis 48

Jacob is about to die and calls Joseph and his sons (Jacob’s grandsons) for a blessing. He adopts Joseph’s sons as his own and blesses them. He crosses his hands and so the second born son receives the more potent blessing. He gives Joseph the territory that includes Shechem.

Hebrews 10: 32 – 39

The writer reminds people that in the early days of their faith they had hard times, their possessions were taken, people were injured and imprisoned and still, they supported each other. They are encouraged to keep the faith and not to shrink back from God’s saving grace.


Collect for Evening Prayer

Juvenile galahs*
Harrietville Vic  L Osburn
Great God of steadfast love, we thank you for the scriptures and the encouragement we receive from the stories of those who love you: the people of God. Keep us in your loving embrace and guide us to live our lives joyfully with thanks and praise to you your Son, Jesus Christ and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.


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* Galahs are the only birds in Australia that fly south for the winter, that is into the cold. A silly thing to do. So if we do something silly we are likely to be called "a galah". Galahs live their lives, joyfully - even if it is going against the flow.

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