18 June 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 18 June 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 107: 1 – 22

Whether we are lost in a dry place, imprisoned or sick we are encouraged to “cry to the Lord whose steadfast love endures forever”.

2 Chronicles 9: 13 – 31

This section answers the question, and what did Solomon do with all the wealth? He does extraordinary interior decorating: golden shields, a throne covered in gold. He keeps being wealthy and dies peacefully and is buried honourably.

Acts 11: 19 – 30

The believers who are in Jerusalem at the time of the persecution that follows the death of Stephen scatter to Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch. Most speak only with Jews. Some from Cyprus and Cyrene talk also with those who speak Greek. Many believe and so Barnabas is sent to Antioch where he encourages the believers. Barnabas goes to Tarsus to look for Saul (Paul) who he brings to Antioch. For a year they teach the believers there together. This is when the disciples are first called Christians.

One of the prophets from Jerusalem says there will be a famine. The believers in Antioch resolve to send relief to the believers in Judea and they do this through Barnabas and Saul.

Collect for Morning Prayer

On the way
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Holy Lord you fulfil your promises to us, and you grant us free will to choose what to do with the gifts you give us. Help us to be like Barnabas to outreach, bring in, support each other and build strong communities of faith who can give and keep giving so that we respond to the lost, the sick, the scattered and the fearful for all of us, when trapped in sin were these people too through the power of your Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saturday 18 June 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 107: 23 – 43

We are reminded that faithfulness leads to hope and pride to being brought low. We are to call on the Lord for our great provision.

Proverbs 14: 20 – 35

This section continues the comparison between good and foolishness and the consequences for nations in terms of their reputation and whether they are seen as righteous.

Being kind to the poor honours God and oppressing them insults God and is sin.

If we plan to do good and get on with doing it rather than talking about it there will be positive outcomes. Wisdom is the crown of the wise and telling the truth saves lives.  When we revere God we give our children refuge.

Kings and princes are nothing without people so wisdom and understanding are essential and righteousness exalts a whole nation. Just as if we act shamefully we will have the king's wrath so shameful actions will bring reproach to our nation.

2 Corinthians 13

Paul will come again to the Corinthians and since they desire proof that Christ is speaking in him, he, coming in weakness (just as Christ was weak) will come with the power of God. Paul asks the Corinthians to examine themselves. Are they living in faith? Is Jesus Christ in them? That will be the test.

He prays they will be strong and do nothing wrong. He will come in truth. He will be happy if they are strong and he can be weak with them. He writes this letter so that when he comes he does not have to use his authority strongly.

He ends saying to them to put things in order, seek to agree with each other and live in peace. He prays that the God of peace is with them: may they greet each other with a holy kiss. All the saints send their greetings. He ends with a blessing.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Step by step
Tronoh Dredge-hole Track
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Life giving God we are blessed when we respect you and truly love each other. Help us this night to examine our lives: are we living in faith and is Christ in us? Help us to tell the truth, put things in order, revere you, learn how to agree with each other and how to live in peace so that our lives honour you through the power of your Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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