Saturday 13 August 2016

14 August 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Sunday 14 August 2016
Morning Prayer

Psalm 81

The psalm begins with praise and thanksgiving. It moves on to remembering the gifts of God and how God saved and delivered the people. Finally there is a lament that the people’s hearts are hard, that they are not listening and until they do, they will be besieged. God wants to feed us with fine things. The choice is left open.

Hebrews 12: 1 – 13

Since we have had all the examples of faithful people from the time of Abel, they are like a crowd cheering us on to persevere in our own race. We look to the finish line: to Jesus and to the joy that comes from his presence. When things get tough we should consider how tough they were for Christ. If God disciplines us, treat it as training, as preparation for the parts of the race still to come. Discipline always is uncomfortable but the joy of achievement outweighs that discomfort.

Therefore lift up from drooping and feeling weak. Hop back of the straight path so that what seemed lame is able to heal.

Collect for Morning Prayer


A great crowd - like a city
Brisbane Qld  L Osburn
God of the greatest challenge you know we work in environments where even the hearts of some of the faithful are hard. But you have set up a great arena of souls cheering us on so that we can run this marathon and finish strong in faith and hope and love and dignity for all. We praise you and thank you. Help us also cheer each other on so that all athletes for you are encouraged and supported especially when their arms and knees are weary and weak through Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sunday 14 August 2016
Evening Prayer

Psalm 82

This psalm sets a scene of God judging all the other Gods. They lack knowledge or compassion. They will be destroyed. The psalmist petitions God alone to judge the earth.

Isaiah 5: 16 – 24

God is exalted by justice and is shown in righteousness. Those who live with sin, who mock God, who call evil good and prefer darkness to light and call bitter sweet, are good at partying and giving bribes are only wise in their own eyes and shrewd in their own estimations. They have despised the word of God and will amount to ash.

Luke 13: 1 – 9

Jesus talks about people who suffered violent and sudden deaths. He encourages people to repent. He then tells the parable of the fig tree. If it is not bearing fruit it needs to be ripped out but the caring gardener will nurture it one more season, if it fruits it will remain in the garden.


Collect for Evening Prayer

Small fig tree
Armadale WA  L Osburn
God of justice, righteousness and compassion you want us to bear fruit and be with you eternally. Open our eyes to what sin, mocking, deceit and corruption really are – chasing and seeking other gods and powers – pointless. Bring us to repentance for our personal pride and our lapses of compassion so that we blossom, flourish and bear fruit for your glory and your purposes all our days through Jesus Christ our saviour. Amen

Holy God
 through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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