30 July 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 30 July 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 72

This psalm asks that the King be blessed. Justice, righteousness, prosperity for the people and production, defence of the poor and deliverance for the needy and oppressed, are requested. May the king live long and be gentle. Peace, dominion, abundance, compassion are all in this appeal. The psalm ends praising and Blessing God who makes all thing possible.

Hosea 5: 5 – 6: 3

Hosea prophesies the destruction of Israel, Ephraim and Judah since they have been faithless. God is compared to a young lion who comes, tears, carries off and then goes to a hidden place where no on can rescue. Hosea counsels the people to return to God who will heal.

Hosea says that God has struck, and after two days will revive again and on the third day he will raise up. Hosea says keep seeking God and know that like dawn or like refreshing spring rains he will surely come.

John 10: 19 – 39

The Jews want Jesus to reveal that he is the Messiah? Jesus says he already has and they don’t believe him.

His works show he is. Those who don’t believe are not his. He then says, “The Father and I are one” (v. 30). The Jews prepare to stone him. He challenges them on the basis of his works and scripture.

If people don’t believe in Jesus, that is fine, believe in his works so that you eventually know that Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Jesus.

Collect for Morning Prayer

In the wide water
Cape Le Grand National Park WA
L Osburn

God of blessings through the ages you have given us more that we can comprehend and still we cannot fully recognise you and your works. Keep us open to seek you, so that we awake and feel your presence like refreshing spring rain through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saturday 30 July 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 73

The psalmist begins saying how good God is and then confesses that he is about to lose his belief because of envy of the success, prosperity and apparent freedom from care the wicked possess. It bothers him daily and he is tempted to talk about it but decides it would lead others astray. So he goes into the sanctuary and prays. Through prayer he understands that what appears to be success and freedom is temporary – like a dream. The psalmist recognises his own failings and reaffirms the value of being with God, being guided by God and being valued by God. Even if flesh fails, God is our strength, our refuge and we can, with that support tell of all God’s works.

Ezekiel 47: 1 – 12 and 48: 30 – 35

In Ezekiel’s vision the messenger shows him streams of water coming up from below the temple and flowing out in 3 directions. Where the water grows it heals and restores. Crops and trees flourish.

There is an instruction about the gates of the city named for the each of the houses of Israel. The City itself is called “the Lord is there”.

Romans 6: 12 – 23

Paul uses the analogy of slavery. We were once slaves to sin and now are freed. So if we become obedient to Christ we become instead slaves to righteousness. We focus not on sin, which leads to death but on righteousness and the reward of sanctification and eternal life.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Hughes Creek
Avenel Vic  L Osb

God of relationship and connection, where you are is the source of living, healing water. Strengthen us to read, remember and share the stories of your relationship with people of faith, so that we enable our children and ourselves to focus on you and come to eternal life urnthrough Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

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