13 March 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 13 March 2014

Morning Prayer

Psalm 35: 1 – 17

This section of the psalm asks for God to contend with personal enemies: those who fight, who devise evil, who ensnare, who are malicious witnesses, who repay good for evil and, who mock. The psalmist asks, “say to my soul ‘I am your salvation’ ” (v3).

Jeremiah 26: 20 – 27: 11

Another prophet, Uriah prophesies with the same message as Jeremiah. His life is threatened and he flees to Egypt where he is pursued, brought back to King Jehoiakim and executed.  Jeremiah however is protected.

Luke 12: 8 – 21

Jesus indicates that those who acknowledge him will be acknowledged by him in the life to come. Those who speak ill against him can be forgiven, but once the Holy Spirit comes, speaking ill of the Holy Spirit is speaking ill of God.

The passage moves on to consideration of property and greed. First, life isn’t measured by possessions. Hoarding and storing possessions to then relax, is folly. If we die tonight whose property is it? Jesus challenges us to be rich towards God.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Pinchusion Protea, Marron Farm, Albany WA
2014 L Osburn

Almighty God, you want the peace of salvation to be with us. You have given us your Son Jesus Christ to be our salvation and to acknowledge us before you. We thank you for this great and wondrous gift. Help us Lord to fully accept your peace in our souls and act in ways today that are rich towards you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thursday 13 March 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 35: 18 – 29, 36

The end of the first psalm continues the plea and vows to praise God when the psalmist is vindicated.

The second psalm describes the character of those who are wicked. It then describes the character of God “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light”(v9). The psalm ends in a plea for steadfast love and salvation.

Genesis 41: 37 – 57

Joseph is given charge of Egypt and the management of food security. He is married into the family of the high priest and has two sons. When the drought comes, Egypt is prepared and her people are fed. People from other nations also came to Egypt for grain.

Hebrews 5: 7 – 6: 8

The writer talks about the pure humanity of Jesus, his prayers, supplications, loud cries and tears, and his obedience to the answer to his prayer, which leads him to crucifixion and the salvation of all. Jesus is the great high priest. There is more for us to learn and we are challenged to go beyond being fed milk like babies to be ready for some hard food.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Grain Loader Esperance WA
(WA wheat production 15.1 million tonnes in 2013)
2014 L Osburn

Wondrous exciting God, when you offer salvation it is abundant, extraordinary, and beyond our imagining. It is not for a moment but eternally. It is not for one but for all, everywhere and in all time. We thank you for Jesus our great high priest, mediator and saviour. We ask that you keep our hearts and minds open and alert so that we can appreciate your glory through Jesus Christ. Amen.