16 August 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 16 August 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 105: 1 – 22

The psalm praises God’s faithfulness. It praises creation and God’s love. This portion recalls the early story of Abraham through to Joseph being placed in charge of Pharaoh’s household.

2 Chronicles 29: 15 – 30

The Levites gather together and go into the temple. They remove everything that is unclean and take it out of the city. From the front they systematically clean and sanctify the temple. It takes 16 days. They tell King Hezekiah who rises early the next day calling for sin and burnt sacrifices. While the burnt sacrifice occurs he has cymbals, harps, lyres and trumpets play the song to the Lord. Everyone worships, people sing. When the burnt offering is finished they bow and the Levites sing praises to the Lord, bow and worship.

Acts 18: 18 – 28

Paul with Priscilla and Aquila goes to Syria. In Ephesus he discusses in the synagogue, is welcomed, and says he needs to move on but will return. He travels to Caesarea and up to Jerusalem to the church there, then to Galatia and beyond.

Meanwhile Apollos from Alexandria arrives in Ephesus. He knows scripture, speaks well, is enthusiastic but has limited knowledge of Christ. Aquila and Priscilla speak with him to fill out his knowledge so that he can better present the Way of God. Apollos is encouraged in his ministry to go to Achaia. While he is there he helps the believers since he is able to powerfully refute the Jews in public and show that the Messiah is Jesus.

Collect for Morning Prayer

All the rural and remote churches
Tullibigeal   NSW  L Osburn

Magnificent Lord, through the record of faithful people you show us the importance of preparing to come to your presence, to worship you using the psalms and music, to know our scripture, to learn of Christ in community with believers, to be enthusiastic and to strengthen others in their faith. Help us Lord to carve out time every day to do these things so that our lives are examples of living worship and service to you through Jesus Christ our Lord and redeemer. Amen.

Tuesday 16 August 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 105: 23 – 45

The psalm continues to praise God’s faithfulness to the covenant and tells the story of the famine, Israel going to Egypt, the Exodus and the arrival in the Promised Land. Praise the Lord.

Song of Songs 5

The man replies that he is in his garden – there is fragrant spice honey and milk. Again the women dreams that her lover comes, that she goes to him but he is gone and she searches, is found by the city guards and beaten. In her dream her mantle is removed – she is exposed in her love.

When asked by a chorus what makes her beloved so special she describes all his characteristics as if her were a god.

Romans 11: 25 – 36

Paul explains that it is a mystery. He says that Israel will reject Christ until all the people from other countries know Christ as saviour and redeemer. Jews might reject the gospel but they are God’s people through God’s promises to their ancestors. We can never know the ways and mind of God. All we can know is that all things are from God, through God and to God. Paul glorifies God.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Iced in: still reaching up
Mt Hotham Vic  L Osburn

God of mystery and wonder, you love us and want us to come to you. You want us to generously give of ourselves and to know that you will be with us in dark and painful places where we are called on to reveal our love for you. We have faith that you will lift us up. As we reflect on our day help us see that everything is from you, through you and to you, and to praise your glorious name through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen

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