31 May 2016
Collects
Prayers developed from the daily readings
Tuesday 31 May 2016
Morning Prayer
Psalm
59
The
psalmist is being stalked so that he may be killed. Protection is requested but
not the death of those who seek his life – just that they may be brought down
and caught up in their own anger.
The
psalmist will praise God’s provision of safety and his steadfast love. God is a
mighty fortress.
Ezekiel
26
Ezekiel
pronounces God’s judgement on the city of Tyre for failing to come to
Jerusalem’s aid and instead seeing it as an opportunity for Tyre to prosper.
Tyre including the outlying towns and people, will be destroyed by
Nebuchadrezzar. Even princes will be clothed in trembling and people will
lament. Tyre in its present form will come to a dreadful end.
Acts 7:
9 – 22
Stephen,
the first deacon is before the council falsely accused. He continues retelling
the story of the people from Joseph being sold into Egypt, the famine that
brings the people of Israel to live there, the burial of Jacob in Shechem, the
oppression of the people including being forced to abandon their children so
that they died, to the arrival of Moses and his childhood as the son of the
Pharaoh’s daughter.
Collect for Morning Prayer
Miss Molly frolicking freely Harrietville Vic L Osburn |
Tuesday 31 May 2016
Evening Prayer
Psalms
58 and 79
In
the first psalm the writer is truly angry about the actions of the wicked and
wants their power to be removed and for them to just disappear – permanently!
Things are so bad the psalmist wants a reward and vindication for the righteous
now and for judgment to come to earth instantly.
In
the second psalm Jerusalem has been destroyed and the psalmist in deep, angry
grief calls for vengeful punishment of the godless nations that caused the
destruction.
Deuteronomy 13
If prophets come and even if what they say occurs or
if they do great deeds but are from other gods, don’t follow them. There is
only one God. The false prophets will be found to be guilty of treason. If
family or close friends entice you to worship other gods, don’t go with
them. The essential bottom line is that
there is only one God and you are to do what is right in the sight of god.
2
Corinthians 4: 1 – 12
It is
by God’s mercy that we are involved in ministry so we are not to lose heart. We
are put our needs aside and serve others.
The message is clear, Christ is Lord and we are the servants of others.
If people don’t understand this it is because they are unable to believe. We
have Christ’s light in us and we are meant to let it shine even if we are just
vessels made of common clay. Because we are afflicted, perplexed, persecuted
and struck down we don’t give up – any achievements just prove God’s glory. We
carry Jesus’s death within us so that Jesus’s life can be visible and bring
others life.
Collect for Evening Prayer
Clouds of the sleet storm and rainbow or promise Harrietville Vic L Osburn |
Holy Lord you are the only God and the one who brings
light and life to all. Help us when we are angry, injured, perplexed, challenged
and pressed in our belief and ministry. Help us resist the pressures and
influence to turn from your way so that we can hold on to our deep reverence
for Christ’s death and show and share Christ’s love, light and life to all.
Amen.
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