27 August 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 27 August 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 140

This psalm is an appeal to be delivered from personal enemies – from violent people and those who stir things up, those who speak ill, are arrogant and make evil plots. The psalmist is confident in God’s care.

2 Chronicles 34: 14 – 28

While the temple cleaning is in progress Hilkiah, the priest finds the book of the Law. They take it to the king and read it. The king repentant, tears his clothes in distress. He orders a group including the priest to go to a prophet. They see Huldah a prophetess. She says that indeed the punishment will come but because the king repented, he will have peace in his life.

Acts 23: 1 – 11

Paul, before the chief priests and council that includes Pharisees and Sadducees begins to speak. Ananias orders those close by to hit him in the mouth. Paul retaliates implying that Ananias is something old and grubby that has been covered in a white wash to conceal what is beneath. It was a violation of the Law to strike someone before they have a chance to put their case. Paul is then told that Ananais is a priest.

Paul identifies himself as a Pharisee and says he is on trail because he believes in the resurrection. This is a contested point between Pharisees and Sadducees. The Pharisees immediately find that Paul has no case to answer. The debate becomes violent and the tribune fearing that Paul would literally be torn to shreds, orders the soldiers to return him to the barracks.

That night Paul experiences Christ’s presence who tells him that since he testified for Christ in Jerusalem, he will also testify in Rome.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Juvenile Kookaburra: whose song is laughter
Harrietville Vic  L Osburn

God of steadfast love and care you keep us safe, at peace and close to you when we humble ourselves and are prepared to testify for Jesus our Lord and saviour. Keep us in your knowledge and love. Keep us brave and courageous for you so that all the days of our lives we may sing your praise and glory through Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Saturday 27 August 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalms 141, 142

Both psalms are pleas to be delivered from personal enemies. The first includes a willingness to be justly corrected by the righteous. The psalmist asks to be assisted to not engage in retaliation of the evil so that the enemies realise the psalmist was not only correct but also gentle. In the second psalm things have not gone well for the psalmist and the pleas for deliverance demonstrate faithfulness.

Tobit 9 and 10

Tobias sends Raphael on to Gabael to collect Tobit’s money since he must stay at Raguel's for the remainder of the wedding festival. Gabael comes to the wedding and is relived to see that Tobias looks like Tobit.

Meanwhile because Tobias is delayed in his journey Tobit and his mother Anna fear for him and become distressed. As soon as the feast is over Tobias begs Raguel to allow him to go home. Raguel gives him half of all his property and staff and blesses him. Edna, his new mother-in-law blesses him. They both want to live to see the grandchildren. Tobias commits to honouring Raguel and Edna as his own parents.

Romans 16: 17 – 27

Paul urges the Roman Christians to be on the watch for dissent and to come back to what they have been taught at the first so that false teachers do not sway them. There are greetings from people with Paul. Paul ends the letter praying that God strengthens them and keeps them obedient to the faith through Jesus Christ to the glory of God forever.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Rainbow
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

God of glory, you teach us through the scriptures of the many ways we serve you. Sometimes we need to engage gently with our enemies. Sometimes waiting patiently is obedience to you and being watchful and holding true to our faith is the most important thing to do. Help us discern the best way to serve you so that your peace, your praise and your glory may ring out across this world you love through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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