26 July 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 26 July 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalms 65 and 70

Psalm 65 is a glorious hymn of praise to God, who forgives us, saves us, satisfies our souls and creates the world and everything in it. In particular it gives praise for the food we receive at harvest time.

Psalm 70 is a plea for help in time of urgent need. It asks for those who seek harm to be confused and turned back and those who seek God to rejoice and give praise.

Hosea 2: 1 – 13

Israel is the one who is going after other Gods and who believes all wealth and prosperity comes from that exchange. In reality it is God who provides the goods and wealth that Israel thinks comes from worshipping the Baals. Hosea prophesies humiliation unless Israel turns back to God.

John 8: 48 – 59

Jesus’s words in the temple challenge the Jews who are listening and they seek to stone him. He tells them: he honours God and they do not honour him, not that he seeks his own glory, only God’s; those who keep his word will not taste death – and they scoff asking is he greater than all the prophets and patriarchs who have died? They ask who does he claim to be and he answers, God will glorify him. Jesus knows God and does his will. He also says that Abraham rejoiced that he would see Jesus. Finally Jesus says “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am” (v.58).

Collect for Morning Prayer

"Willy Willy"
Central West NSW  L Osburn

Wonderful and eternal God you provide for us and have since the beginning of everything. You have saved us and satisfied our souls. Help us to turn back to you. Change our minds and hearts from their false beliefs and dogmas so that we can acknowledge you and like Abraham rejoice in the presence of Jesus and accept the awe and wonder of Him through the power of your Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Tuesday 26 July 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 66

A great song of praise to God: “Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth” (v 1).  The psalmist lists the gifts of God and particularly that prayers are answered. God is a God of steadfast love.

Ezekiel 37: 1 – 14

Ezekiel has the vision of the valley of dry bones. God tells him to prophesy to the bones. Through the prophecy the bones, sinews, flesh and skin are reconstituted. Until Ezekiel prophesies to the breath they are not alive. With the breath they live and stand.

God explains the vision that this is Israel, cut off, dismembered and dried-up. They will be returned to their own soil and God’s spirit will be put in them and they will live.

Romans 4: 13 – 25

Paul discusses Abraham’s faith that he had before there was the Law. Abraham trusted God and was convinced God would do as promised – including that he would be the father of many even when he and his wife were old. Abraham’s faith was the key to Abraham’s righteousness. Faith in Christ likewise will be reckoned to us as righteousness.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Celebrating local seals
Esperance WA  L Osburn

Life-giving God, you answer our prayers and love us to the core of our being. Be with us as we reflect on our lives and our world. Remind us that renewal and repair is possible with your spirit so that we may step out in faith secure in the knowledge that you always listen and fulfil your promises through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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