15 June 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 15 June 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 104: 1 – 25

Great hymn to the creator: clouds, sea, mountains, water, grass, creatures, wine… the list goes on.  In wisdom God has made it all.

2 Chronicles 7: 7 – 22

The festival for the temple runs for seven days and includes people from as far away as the Wadi of Egypt. Solomon sends the people home. Solomon's building of the temple and his own house is complete. The Lord then appears to Solomon and commits to listening to people's prayers and forgiving them. God also makes it abundantly clear to Solomon that while he is faithful to God so God will be with him but if he is unfaithful and serves other gods, he will be plucked up and cast out. As for the temple it will be destroyed and people will ask why is it so? The answer will be because the people abandoned the Lord the God of their ancestors.

Acts 10: 17 – 33

Peter in Joppa is puzzled by his vision of the sheet and all the creatures. Suddenly Cornelius’s men appear at the gate asking for him. The Spirit tells Peter to go to the men and go with them without hesitation. He greets them, hears the story of Cornelius’s vision, invites them in and gives them lodging then leaves with them the next morning with some of the believers.

At Caesarea, Cornelius has gathered his close friends and family. Cornelius worships Peter who stops him. “Stand up. I am only mortal.” Peter tells them that though the law says he should not associate with people from other nations God has told him not to call anyone profane or unclean. Cornelius tells Peter about the vision, how he came to send for him and that they are now gathered in the presence of God to hear what God will have Peter say.

Collect for Morning Prayer

The Tronoh Dredge-hole
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

O God of motivation and leadership, in wisdom you created us all, hear all our prayers and know our actions. Keep us in the knowledge that you allow us to make the choice to be faithful to you so that we take responsibility for how we respond to your presence, your voice and your spirit every day and bring our inactions and our failings to you in penitence, faith hope and trust through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Wednesday 15 June 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 104: 26 – 37

This part of the psalm reinforces that all things natural and man made rely on the mercy of God for their existence and sustenance. Ends with praise, glorifying God and a plea that the psalmists meditations be pleasing to God and that there be no more sin.

Proverbs 13: 1 – 14

A wise child appreciates discipline and we harvest the fruit of our words. Hence taking care of what one says guards us from ruin.

The appetite of the lazy craves and has no product, the appetite of the diligent works and is rewarded.

Righteousness is guarded and sin overthrows the wicked. Real riches may not be wealth since the poor are not held for ransom.

Righteousness is a lasting light: wickedness is a lamp that goes out.

Insolence leads to strife but wisdom takes advice.

Slowly built wealth lasts but fast gains dwindle.

Hope put on the back-burner hurts the heart, but a desire fulfilled brings life.

If you despise the word, disaster comes but those who respect the commandments are rewarded.

2 Corinthians 11: 30 – 12: 5

Paul continues his discussion about how his weakness makes him strong. He escaped Damascus by being lowered out a window in a basket. He cannot boast of mystical experiences though he knows others who have had them.

Paul will only boast in his weakness.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Tiny reeds and frog spawn
The Tronoh Dredge-hole
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Almighty God, all life, production, wisdom and blessings come from you. No power on earth can control you and only our pride make us think we can. Help us to be aware of our weakness and mobilise us to appreciate discipline, good advice, persistence, patience, effort and respect. Help us too to accept assistance and material help from others so that we may be a blessing to our neighbours and have lives acceptable to you through the power of your Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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