12 March 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Morning Prayer

Psalm 33

Great hymn of praise to God citing evidence including: creation, oversight of nations, strength beyond that of people or war-horses and  the steadfast love that delivers our souls from death. The psalm ends saying our souls wait for the Lord, our hearts are glad because we trust and, an appeal for God’s steadfast love to be with us.

Jeremiah 26: 1 – 19

Jeremiah is instructed by God to go to the temple and prophesy again so that the people have an opportunity to repent, and God to change the plan. Jeremiah does so and is seized by priests and people and brought before the officials who listen. He will not recant: he is willing to die. They take him seriously and do not put him to death.

Luke 11: 45 – 12: 7

Jesus challenges the lawyers who burden others but act as if the regulations don’t apply to them; who honour prophets but participate in the processes that cause the prophets’ deaths and; who teach one thing and doing the opposite. Those for whom “the hat fitted” tried to catch Jesus out with further questions.

Large unmanageable crowds come. Jesus warns the disciples to be circumspect in their speech and put their trust in God.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Windmill Armadale WA 2014
L Osburn

Almighty and ever faithful God, we praise your glory, your majesty and thank you for your care for us. Give us the strength to do your will and the courage to stand up and be counted for you, so that others may see our example and glorify you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 31

This powerful psalm is on the theme of taking refuge in God and has the words “Into your hand I commit my spirit”. The second part asks for God’s grace and the final part praises God.

Genesis 41: 1 – 36

Pharaoh dreams of the seven fat cows and seven lean cows, and of the seven fat ears of wheat and the seven lean ears of wheat. The cupbearer remembers Joseph, who interprets the dream for Pharaoh and provides the plan for a sustainable response to the impending drought.

Hebrews 4: 11 – 5: 6

God’s resting place for us is salvation. His word is sharp and active and can pierce through us and judge our intentions; we are totally transparent to God. And we have the greatest high priest, Christ who is the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Jan and Graham's Grapes
Armadale WA 2014 L Osburn

Dearest God, our hearts want to skip with joy, you are faithful you love us, you free us, you give us refuge, you have given us your Son. Give us the grace to say to you we entrust our lives to you so that we can learn what it is to fully alive through Jesus Christ our great high priest. Amen.