25 May 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 25 May 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalms 62 and 63

For God my soul waits in silence: my salvation and my hope come from God. All people and things and powers are temporary. God is our rock and fortress and we shall not be shaken. Steadfast love belongs to God.

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.

1 Chronicles 22: 6 – 23: 1

David calls Solomon and delegates to him the building of the temple. David sets aside materials sufficient for it to be a precious place. David, a warrior king has won the peace and Solomon can build and ensure the Ark of the Covenant has a home. When David is old he abdicates and passes the kingship to Solomon.

Acts 4: 32 – 5: 11

In the early church the people share property communally. People sell land they own and bring the proceeds to the apostles for sharing so that no one is in need.

One couple, Ananias and his wife Sapphira own land, sell it and bring only part of the money they receive but pretend they are giving it all. Peter explains to Ananias that while he owned the land it was all his to do with what he will. He can choose where to put the proceeds but to pretend; to lie to God is the real problem. Ananias drops dead on the spot. He is buried.

Sapphira enters and Peter asks her and she too speaks the deceit. Peter asks how it was that she and her husband decided to put the Holy Spirit to the test. He tells her Ananias is dead and she too immediately dies.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Not perfect: still beautiful
Armadale WA  L Osburn

Holy and almighty Lord, where you live is a precious and beautiful place. It is in our hearts. When we are in trouble we can call upon you. Examine our hearts today, clear them of all deceit and sin so that we may call on you in times of need and serve you in fullness of life and joy and spirit in the name of Christ you son our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday 25 May 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalms 64 and 67

The first psalm is about those who do evil and think no one can see or hear them. God knows. God sees. God will respond. Let the righteous rejoice and take refuge in God.

The second psalm is a blessing. “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us” (v 1). The blessing asks too that our lives be testament to God’s glory. May the whole world sing praise and rejoice.

Deuteronomy 9: 1 – 21

The Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land. Moses says they will be victorious because God will go before them to fulfil his steadfast promises. The victory will not be because the Israelites are righteous. Indeed they are not and Moses outlines their faults and disloyalties to God and how he had to intercede to ensure they were not destroyed because of their idol worship and stubbornness.

2 Corinthians 1: 1 – 11

Paul greets the Corinthians and praises God who consoles him in the current afflictions so that he and fellow disciples are able to console others. They have suffered greatly in Asia and were afraid they would be killed. God rescues and continues to rescue. The prayers from Corinth assist Paul and his fellows.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Gum blossom
SA WA L Osburn

Holy and compassionate Lord we know that we are not perfect and righteous and indeed make mistakes daily. You are the one who is merciful. Help us to remember that what we do reflects on the whole community of Christians. Help us to bring our failures to you so that we can receive your loving comfort and assurance of forgiveness and be refreshed to live out lives of courage and faith through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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