5 June 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Sunday 5  June 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 28

Here is an appeal to not be like people who don’t believe and / or those who are deceitful. The psalmist changes focus and reminds us how big and powerful God is, who saves and shepherds the people forever.

Galatians 6: 1 – 18

Paul gives practical advice on how we demonstrated the fruits of the spirit. If someone does something wrong, we are to restore them in a spirit of gentleness. We are to be watchful for things that tempt us. We are to support each other. When we think we are important remember we are deceiving ourselves. Criticise and test our own work, not others. Support those who teach us. Put time and effort into the spirit and we will reap a harvest there. Whenever we have a chance, do things for the community of the faithful.

Paul, himself writes the last section of this letter – he isn’t a trained scribe so his letters are larger. The outward bodily signs of belief (circumcision, marks of persecution for faith) are not what we are to boast about or worry about. What we boast about is Christ crucified for us and as a consequence, our separation from the call of the world. This new creation is everything. Paul blesses the readers.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Queen Victoria Park at night
Sydney NSW L Osburn

 O God you powerfully save us from the call of the world and make each one of us a new creation. Wake us up when we start believing that we are important and bring us instead to be gentle and support others, to be alert to our own temptations and failures and to only boast in Christ crucified so that we mobilise your Holy Spirit in us and bring you the fruits of love, joy, praise and thanksgiving through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday 5 June 2016

Evening Prayer

Ecclesiastes 1: 12 – 2: 2 and 9 – 11

As king the preacher reports he used wisdom to understand all human actions and the conclusion is – it is all chasing after wind. We are what we are – no point counting what we haven’t got. Even the pursuit of wisdom itself is problematic because once we are wise that knowledge leads to increased sorrow.

Let’s test pleasure. It’s all mad. What’s the use of it?

The preacher says he became great and enjoyed everything he did work was pleasure and its own reward. Then realising it was all vapour considered wisdom and madness and folly. No matter who we are king or follower we will all die – so why be wise? It is all vapour. All the work he does will be left to others who may or may not look after it: they will be in charge. Everything we toil for will be left to someone else who didn’t work for it.

Psalm 30

This psalm is of praise and thanksgiving for healing and prayers answered.

Luke 8: 16– 21

Jesus encourages us to not hide our light and knowledge, but to shine.

Jesus, when told that his mother and brothers were visiting he says that they are people who listen to and follow God. This comes after the parable of the sower; Jesus grew up in good soil.

The next section is Jesus quieting the storm with the result that he asks where is the disciples’ faith and they wonder who Jesus is since he can control the weather.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Planting the lime and mandarin trees
Harrietville Vic 2016

Jesus our saviour, you answer our prayers, bring us healing and want us to be the good soil for others and a light to guide them to you. Be with us in our temporary, impermanent lives and encourage us to step out in faith and belief knowing that you will calm all storms so that we live lives of praise and thanks to you through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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