14 June 2016
Collects
Prayers developed from the daily readings
Tuesday 14 June 2016
Morning Prayer
Psalms
108 and 109: 20 – 30
The first
psalm begins with praising God, giving thanks and acknowledging God’s
faithfulness. It moves on to ask for a victory and recognises that if God does
not go with us there are no victories.
The
portion of the second psalm is a prayer for deliverance “Let them curse, but
you will bless”.
2
Chronicles 6: 32 – 7: 6
Solomon
at the opening of the temple also prays the following: that foreigners who pray
at the temple be heard so that the people of earth know who God is; that when
the people go to fight and they pray – be with them; that when the people sin
and are handed over to the enemy and taken captive and repent with all their heart
and pray toward the land and the temple, forgive them; rise up Lord and rest,
let the priests bring salvation and the people rejoice.
Solomon
sacrifices and the people praise God and the priests and musicians sing and
play.
Acts
10: 1 – 16
In
Caesarea Cornelius a centurion of the Italian Cohort, who is a devout, believer
in God, gives alms and prays has a vision. He is told to send men to Joppa and
bring back Simon called Peter who is in the house of Simon the tanner by the
seaside. Cornelius sends two slaves and a believing soldier to Joppa.
Meanwhile
in Joppa Peter has a vision of a sheet being lowered to the ground. In it are
all manner of creatures, reptiles and birds. A voice says, “Get up Peter: kill
and eat.” Peter responds that he has never eaten anything profane or unclean.
The voice says, “What God has made clean you
must not call profane.” The vision happens three times.
Collect for Morning Prayer
The Footbridge Tronoh Dredgehole Harrietville Vic L Osburn |
God of steadfast love for all humans,
you hear our heartfelt prayers, you forgive when we repent and you bless us and
keep us safe from harm. We know your kingdom includes everyone, strangers and
those just looking for they too may be your messengers to others. When there
are troubles, anxieties and when some people are deep in sin and handed over to
the enemy be with us. Help us to reach out to get to know each other even if it
involves dealing with illness, managing ridicule and praying through our fears
so that our lives are filled with prayer and service, blessing and praise to
your glory through the power of your Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Tuesday 14 June 2016
Evening Prayer
Psalm
119: 105 – 128
This
psalm is full of powerful one-liners. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a
light to my path”; “You are my hiding place and my shield”; “Deal with your
servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes”; “Truly I
love your commandments more than gold, more than fine gold”.
Proverbs
12: 15 – 28
Fools
think they know: the wise listen to advice. Fools get angry quickly the wise
ignore insults. Truth gives honest evidence and lasts. A lying tongue lasts a
moment – like a sword thrust. A wise tongue brings healing.
Deceit
is in the evil mind in contrast to the mind of peace, which has joy. The wicked
are full of trouble. Those who know conceal much while the fool broadcasts all
foolishness. The diligent person will have control and the lazy will be serving
others.
Anxiety
weighs down the heart but a good word cheers. Good advice comes from the
righteous. The wicked lead others astray. The lazy do not value add (they don't
roast their game) the diligent do and gain wealth.
2
Corinthians 11: 16 - 29
Paul
asks not to be thought of as a fool but, if he is let him really have a great
boast about how foolish he is. For a start the Corinthians
being wise, put up with a lot of foolishness. They have put up with being made
slaves, or being the prey of others, being taken advantage of, being put down
and being abused. Paul admits he is too foolish to do any of that to them.
Are the
Hebrews, the Israelites or descendants of Abraham fools? So is he. Are the
ministers of Christ fools? He is truly the biggest fool since he has been
imprisoned, flogged, lashed, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked adrift on
the sea, beset by bandits and false brothers and sisters. He has had toil,
hardship, sleepless nights, been hungry, thirsty, cold and naked and under
daily pressure worrying about all the churches. Who is the weak one? And if
anyone is made to stumble, Paul is the one who gets indignant.
Collect for Evening Prayer
Wonga Pigeon Tronoh Dredgehole Harrietville Vic L Osburn |
God of deep joy, wisdom
righteousness and peace, you are our shield, our hiding place and source of
steadfast love. We thank you for Paul who stood up for those made to stumble.
When we feel caught, in anxiety and trouble help us to recommit to your laws,
to listen to good advice, to ignore insults, to tell the truth, to hold on to
what we know deeply, hold our peace and value-add so that we, if we are going
to be seen as fools, are fools only for you and that what appears weakness is
revealed as your great strength within us through the power of your Holy Spirit
and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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