2 June 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 2 June 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 77

The psalmist is deeply distressed, not sleeping at night, feels alienated from God and wonders whether God has gone. He decides to remember all the blessings of the past and the evidence of God’s enduring protection. He ceases moaning and instead gives thanks.

Ezekiel 28: 1 – 19 and 29: 17 – 20

God tells Ezekiel to confront the prince of Tyre with his pride acknowledging that he is clever and well informed yet he thinks of himself and acts like a god. Strangers will come against him and he will be confronted with his humanity and profane death. God tells Ezekiel to lament over this ruler who started out perfect in God’s eyes and was corrupted through pride, violence and unrighteousness. He has come to a dreadful end.

Nebuchadrezzar who takes Tyre has expended more or raising and maintaining the army for this campaign than what was gained from the invasion. God says to Ezekiel that he will take Egypt and that will be recompense for Tyre. Nebuchadrezzar’s actions were in God’s service and he will receive payment.

Acts 7: 35 – 43

Stephen, the first deacon, falsely accused and before the council, continues his rendering of the story of the people of God. Moses once rejected, is now accepted as leader since he performed wonders and signs in Egypt. It was Moses who said that God will raise up a prophet as he raised me up. Moses met the angel on Sinai. The people rebelled saying to Aaron make us a god and they made a calf and worshipped it. God challenged them, saying they were worshipping other gods in their time in the wilderness.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Three rosebuds
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Loving parent powerful ruler you made us perfect in your sight and gifted us with many abilities yet we live in circumstances of challenge, pain, oppression and pride. When we feel far from you encourage us to wonder why. When we groan and moan to you and don’t feel heard encourage us to challenge ourselves and ask, “is there an idol getting in the way” so that we becomes aware of our faithlessness, turn back to you and focus on your love, your provision and your will and release our hearts to you in thanks and praise, through the power of your Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Thursday 2 June 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 78: 1 – 15

The psalmist encourages people to tell the stories of God and the caring relationship with the people to their children, in parables, the old sayings, the history, decrees and miracles so that they will not be stubborn or rebellious.

Deuteronomy 16

This chapter begins with the instructions for keeping the Festival of the Passover, the Festival of Weeks following the harvest, and the Festival of Booths. The men are to gather at least these three times and not come empty-handed and are to give, as they are able. Judges shall be appointed who give justice and only justice in the land provided by God.

2 Corinthians 5: 11 – 21

Paul says that he so reveres Jesus that he tries to persuade others. Jesus knows Paul, and Paul wants to let the Corinthians know him so they can use his story to answer challenges from others. If Paul is crazy, he is crazy for God. And if Paul is sane it is for the sake of the Corinthians to help them know that when Christ died, he died for all so that all now have died to themselves and live with the risen Christ.

We are urged on by Christ’s death to know that he died for us all. Those who accept Christ are a new creation. We need to see them in this new way, letting go all their past. Making a fresh start.

Christ reconciles the world to God and does not count our errors. We are the ambassadors taking that message out to all and so we appeal to everyone to be reconciled with God through Christ.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Three galahs
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

God of compassion, freedom and provision you are ready to welcome us and forget all our errors. Help us to keep telling the stories, celebrating the festivals, giving generously and loving justice so that those around us notice and inquire why we are crazy for you, hear your good news, reconcile with you and become a new creation with a new beginning Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour. Amen.

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