Thursday 4 August 2016

5 August 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 5 August 2016
Morning Prayer

Psalms 82 and 84

The first 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.

A day living in the presence of God is better than anything imaginable. A journey to God’s dwelling place is filled with refreshment: “they go from strength to strength” (v. 7).

Hosea 10: 1 – 12 (13 – 15)

Hosea states that in Canaan as Israel flourishes so it builds altars to other gods. They dishonour agreements and contracts and litigation is everywhere. But the idols and false kings will be carried off or perish. If they repent, are genuine and sow righteousness then the Lord can come. But they have sown wickedness and the crop will be destruction.

John 12: 12 – 36a

Jesus rides into the town on a young donkey colt. This fulfils the scriptures.  People wave palm branches and shout Hosanna. The Pharisees see that the people believe in Jesus and that nothing can be done to stop it.

Some Greeks ask to talk with Jesus. Jesus tells them what is to come and through his death on the cross, the ruler of the world will be defeated, God will be glorified and people everywhere will be drawn to God.
The people cannot understand so he says to them that he is a light, it is with them a little while, they are to walk with him now, to stay in the light and they will become children of light.


Collect for Morning Prayer

Walking in the light
Beside the Blackwood River WA
L Osburn
O God our leader and guide, in scripture we are reminded that those who walk with you, who do your will and who sow seeds of righteousness, walk in holy light and experience your grace and refreshment. Help us walk with you so that we live our lives as your children, share our knowledge of you and act with compassion in ways no humans or fears can stop through Jesus Christ or Lord. Amen.






Friday 5 August 2016
Evening Prayer

Psalms 85 and 87

The first psalm reminds us all of God’s forgiveness and historical evidence of restoring people of faith. The psalmist asks for quiet to listen to God who will speak peace to the faithful and give salvation. “Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other” (v.10).

The second psalm is of praise for Zion, the mother city of believers everywhere. It is the basis for the hymn “Glorious things of you are spoken, Zion city of our God.”

Lamentations 3: 1 – 33

In this section an individual laments hardship as a result of perceived punishment - of God’s wrath. But the writer reminds himself that God’s steadfast loves and mercies are forever and freshly given every morning. Those who wait in silence for the salvation of the Lord are rewarded and being humbled early in life is a good lesson. God doesn’t afflict people with grief. God has compassion “according to the abundance of his steadfast love” (v. 32).

Romans 8: 18 – 27

We live lives that include suffering and decay. We hold out hope in release to eternal life. Hope is not hope if we see that hope delivered. Hope is hope because the thing hoped for cannot be seen. We wait patiently.

And the spirit within us intercedes with God even when we cannot find the words to pray. Our spirit intercedes in sighs too deep for words.


Collect for Evening Prayer

Peace
Blackwood River WA  L Osburn
God of eternal love and mercy you have lived as one of us in this challenging world. You know oppression, grief, heartache, torture and cruelty. Hear the wordless sighs of your spirit in us. Open our ears to hear you speak peace and break open our hearts to receive your salvation. So that we have courage to work for a better world, grace to recognise your gift of redemption and salvation for all, to experience your love and mercy every day and to share our hope in you through Jesus Christ, Amen.


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