10 June 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 10 June 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalms 92 and 93

In the first psalm God’s faithfulness and steadfast love is praised. On this occasion the King’s enemies have failed in some other place and are no more. Everything has been restored. The righteous people prosper.

In the second psalm God’s greatness is praised – more powerful than floods, more powerful than the seas. God’s commandments are sure and God lives in holiness.

2 Chronicles 4: 19 – 5: 10

Solomon builds the temple and has all the things made in this house of God – altar, tables, lampstands and utensils. When the temple is finished he brings in all the things King David had dedicated and all the stores and treasures.

Solomon assembles the elders, leaders, heads of tribes and families to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the temple. They bring the ark, the tent of meeting (that was in Jerusalem) and all the vessels. There is nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses put there at Horeb.

Acts 9: 10 – 19a

Ananias, a disciple in Damascus has a vision where the Lord tells him to go to a specific house in a named street and search for Saul of Tarsus. Saul has seen a vision that someone will come, lay hands on him and restore his sight. Ananias objects saying what he knows of Saul and the danger he poses. Jesus tells Ananias to go and that Saul has been chosen to bring his name to the Gentiles, kings and people of Israel. Saul will suffer for Jesus’ name.

Ananias goes, lays hands on Saul, tells him he is sent by Jesus so that he may regain sight and receive the Holy Spirit. Immediately Saul can see, is baptised, eats and gains his strength.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Japanese Maple and Elm Leaf
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Almighty God through you all is restored, united, dedicated and baptised. Keep us in the knowledge that we are always safe with you and that even those who we see as threats may well be an integral part of the future you have planned so that we like Ananias get up and go where you send us and take the risk to engage with someone who is blind through the power of your Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Friday 10 June 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 94

The psalmist calls people to remember that God does can and will act for the righteous. We are all reminded that nothing is hidden from God who formed all ears, all types of eyes. Will God not be able to see or hear what we are up to? The psalmist writes that disciplined believers are blessed, that the Lord is there for them and consoles. The Lord helps.

Deuteronomy 28: 1 – 20

Moses continues his address to the people stating that if they uphold the commandments God will raise them above people of other nations and they will be blessed. Everywhere they are and whatever they do will be blessed and people of other nations will recognise their status. But if they do not follow the commandments they will be cursed and disaster and panic will descend on them.

2 Corinthians 10: 1 – 12

Paul is facing opposition in Corinth and is called bold when he is away and meek when he is there. He claims the meekness and assumes divine weaponry. Arguments will be contested, thoughts made captive only to obey Christ.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Japanese Maple
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Wonderful Lord, you are able to take thoughts and make them captive to obey you. When our perceptions confuse us, when we cannot see that meekness is divine weaponry, remind us that breaking your commandments leads to disaster and panic so that we remember that when we are with you, we are blessed, consoled and raised up through the power of your Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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