8 September 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 8 September 2016 

Morning Prayer

Psalms 20 and 21: 1 – 7 (8 – 13)

The first psalm begins as a bidding prayer asking that God answer your prayers, protect you in times of trouble, grant you your heart’s desire and fulfil all your plans. It was originally about the king. God is the one in whom the community trusts, not men or chariots. The psalmist knows God will help.

The second psalm takes this theme of the power being with God and the king’s dependence on God in all things.

2 Chronicles 36: 1 – 14

The Chronicles tell of a series of inadequate Kings who followed Josiah and the control and invasions of Egypt and Assyria because the people, prophets and priests were unfaithful. The list of Kings is: Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah.

Acts 27: 33 – 44

Paul is on the boat and the crew have not eaten properly for 14 days. He takes bread, breaks it, gives thanks and eats. Encouraged they all eat. They lighten the ship again by dumping cargo. In the morning they see a bay, cut off their anchors, cut the ropes holding the steering and set a sail. They run aground on a reef and the soldiers want to kill the prisoners to stop them from escaping. The centurion stops them. As the boat breaks up they use planks of wood and swim to safety.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Daffodil
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Almighty God you are indeed great and powerful. Your rule is constant and true for your faithful people even through times of wicked rulers, invasions, false prophets and great storms. Today remind us to tell our problems how big you are and remind ourselves always of your power and might so that we may be like Paul and through our faith bring encouragement and compassion to others through Jesus Christ or Lord and your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Thursday 8 September 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalms 24 and 26

The Lord of hosts, who is the King of glory, is the focus of this psalm. The world and everything in it is God’s. Those who aspire to heaven are the pure and righteous.

The second psalm is from a person who is faithful and has integrity and who has been falsely accused. The psalm asks God to look inside and to bring redemption.

Judith 15

The Assyrians scatter once they find their general dead. The Israelites get messages to all towns and the route of the Assyrians begins and goes to beyond Damascus. Judith is praised by the high priest and called “The Glory of Israel”. Much booty is recovered. Judith is given Holofernes’s tent and household goods including silver dinnerware. The women and Judith dance with ivy leaf wands and olive garlands on their heads.

1 John 5: 13 –21

The writer concludes by reminding us we have eternal life through Christ. God hears our prayers when we do his will. We are to pray for our brothers and sisters who sin. We are God’s children and God sent Jesus his Son so that we might get understanding and know him and be in him in truth. Jesus is the true God and eternal life is true.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Securing the ladder
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Great God of glory, you listen to us and hear our prayers as a kind parent listens to a child. Through Jesus you have already won for us the victory over the evil one. Lift up our voices in praise and thanks to you so that we help others persevere with courage and faith sure in the knowledge of your love and care for us through Jesus Christ our saviour and redeemer. Amen

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