18 July 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 18 July 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalms 41 and 44: 1 - 9

The psalmist is sick. Illness was seen in the past as punishment for sin. Enemies hope the psalmist will die but come and visit being pleasant, then make plots when they leave. Even the psalmist’s best friend has turned his back. The psalmist prays for healing, restoration and vindication. God is blessed.

This portion of the second psalm reminds us of God’s actions in nation building and protecting the people in wars. They do not go into battle trusting in their own abilities but in God. And yet, now they have suffered a defeat.

Amos 5: 18 – 6: 7

Amos’s message from God to those who come to seek him in this time is: it is all too late. Justice is going to rain on them and righteousness like a flowing river. They are about to be destroyed and exiled. They are not behaving better than any neighbouring country; they have set up and worship other Gods.

John 6: 52 – 71

This is a hard passage. Jesus explains that in the life that endures, the life of faith, we need nourishment. That comes from the real, fleshy life of Jesus understanding that he lived and taught and is God and the strength of our belief that comes through his blood at the crucifixion. We need to believe that he is God come to earth and God crucified for us. This flesh, this blood is what we need to assimilate, to take in so that we can be nourished and grow in faith.

If we get caught up is the idea of cannibalism we will miss the message as some did and some walked away from discipleship.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Beside the Ovens River
Harrietville Vic  L Osburn

Holy and merciful God, you have sent your own Son as our living sacrifice. Through Christ we have your Word, your life and your Holy Spirit. We thank you and praise you for this most precious gift. Help us to be faithful to you and also to recognise your presence in every other human no matter the circumstance. Christ died for me, and for all. We thank you that you have given us this way to restoration through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and redeemer. Amen.

Monday 18 July 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 44: 10 – 27

In this psalm there has been a great defeat. The people are scattered, enslaved, had everything taken and destroyed. They are humiliated, derided, taunted, reviled and disgraced. But they do not forget God’s promise or turn their hearts away. If they had, would not God discover it? God knows our heart’s secrets. The psalmist ends with a call to God to rise, to come to our aid and redeem us through steadfast love.

Ezekiel 33: 1 – 20

Ezekiel gives God’s message as follows: if a prophet gives a warning and the people do not respond, the people bear the fault; if the prophet fails to warn, the prophet bears the fault; if righteous people do something wrong and do not repent they will be found to be at fault and; the bad people who repent will be saved.

Romans 1: 26 – 32

When people exchange God for idols and other notions they lead themselves into all sorts of dreadful behaviours: exploitative, violent, deceitful, haughty, boastful and heartless. And others applaud them.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Wonga Pigeon
(I call it a deacon dove)
Harrietville Vic  L Osburn

Merciful God, you know our world and have suffered at the hands of the world. Keep our hearts and minds and souls focused on you especially when our plans and hopes are defeated. Enable us to hear your word, understand your love and the message of Christ so that we all turn our faces to you, repent and act as your faithful and disciplined people with mercy, gentleness, truth, humility and compassion to all through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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