30 March 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Sunday 30 March 2014

Morning Prayer

Psalm 31: 1 – 9

The psalmist seeks refuge in God, the rock and the strong fortress.  “Into you hand I commit my spirit” (v5), links this psalm for us directly to Christ and the passion. The psalmist adds statements of trust, faithfulness and thanks to God. The final verse is a plea for grace.

2 Corinthians 11: 12 – 21

Paul criticises false apostles who boast about their experiences seem like ministers of righteousness, but their actions will reveal their cause. Paul then says why one should not boast and that it is a foolish thing to do, but says he will so that the Corinthians know his credentials, that he is credible. He will play the fool so that their needs for guidance are met.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Cliff Face, Great Australian Bight SA
2014 L Osburn

Gracious God, we praise you and thank you that you have been in relationship with humans from the start. We praise you and thank, you that you came to earth and experienced as we experience. Strengthen us today to step out in courage and if necessary, look foolish, so that we show others the power of your love and saving grace through Jesus Christ our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sunday 30 March 2014

Evening Prayer

Exodus 5: 1 – 9

Moses and Aaron approach the Pharaoh to ask for the Israelites to have 3 days off for a festival of worship to God otherwise there will be pestilence and violence. Pharaoh’s answer is that he does not recognise the Israelites’ God; that there are more Israelites than Egyptians so they can’t have days off work – it would bring the country to a halt; and they do not have enough to do if they are thinking about non-work related matters. So Pharaoh increases the workload by saying not only will they meet the same production targets but they will have to get the raw materials too.

Psalm 69: 20 – 28

The psalmist cries for deliverance from enemies have left him ill and despairing. The psalmist is angry and lists all the things he would like God to do as punishment for them and, hands the matter to God. The section ends in humility and with a reverent plea for protection.

Matthew 27: 1 – 31

Jesus is bound and led to Pilate. Judas saw that Jesus was condemned, repented and returned the 30 pieces of silver. He said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (v 4). The response was “What is that to us”- the equivalent of “Tell somebody who cares” and they said “See to it yourself” our equivalent would be “Deal with it” (v 4). Judas committed suicide. The chief priests picked up the silver, and as it was “blood money” it could not be used for the temple so they bought a field where people from other countries could be buried, thus fulfilling the prophesy of Jeremiah.

The story of Jesus before Pilate and Pilate’s washing is hands symbolic of being innocent and having nothing to do with this. He says “… see to it yourselves” (v 24).

Barabbas is freed, Jesus is beaten and mocked and they take him away to be crucified.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Reflections in Di's Pond Mandurah WA
2014 L Osburn

Almighty God, we thank you for your loving kindness and compassion that endures forever. Help us listen, to consider the needs of those who come to us. Help us to be someone who cares and help us too, to have compassion for those whose lives are so pressured by other demands, that their capacity for love has been diminished. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Saviour victim and Lord eternally with you and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.