13 April 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Sunday 13 April 2014

Morning Prayer

Psalms 118: 1 – 2, 19 – 29

“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever” (v.1). This psalm is about being granted entry to the place of worship. “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (v.24).

Psalm 70

This is a prayer for deliverance from those who seek to harm us. And for those who seek God, may they rejoice.

Galatians 3: 10 - 14

If we rely on obeying all the commandments and laws as our path to salvation it is too great a burden; it is like a curse. No one can do it. Real righteousness is about living by and through faith. Christ, by his death took the burden of the law on himself so that everyone can receive the spirit through faith.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Morning on Blackwood River WA
2014 L Osburn

Loving and bountiful God you want us with you rejoicing, singing, full of praise and love. We thank you for Jesus our Lord and saviour. Help us to keep rejoicing in our hearts for you have won us the victory. You have granted us entry to worship you forever through Jesus Christ our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sunday 13 April 2014

Evening Prayer

Matthew 21: 1 – 11

This is the story of Palm Sunday. Jesus procures a colt, rides it into Jerusalem. His actions fulfil a prophecy. The people treat him as a king by putting their cloaks and palm fronds on the ground, carpeting the way and singing “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord” (v.9).

Exodus 13: 1 – 3, 7 – 9

These sections cover Moses’ instructions that the firstborn of humans and animals need to be consecrated to God and that only flat bread is to be eaten for seven days each year to remind everyone of God’s bringing of the Israelites out of Egypt.

Psalm 118: 1 – 16

This section of the psalm gives thanks for delivery from great enemies on all sides. The psalmist is explicit in saying that faith in the Lord is the key, not reliance on in armies or princes or any humans. “The Lord is my strength and my might: he has become my salvation” (v.14).

John 12: 20 – 32

The context is the people coming to Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus has just entered the city and been greeted with the palms and Hosannas. In the group of people who had come to Jerusalem are some Greeks who wish to meet Jesus. The message about the meeting is passed on and Jesus response is to talk about how he will fall to the ground like a seed and die but that is necessary for glorification. God’s voice is heard to respond to Jesus for the sake of the crowd, not for Jesus’ comfort.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Sculpture of a Fisherman
Fremantle Harbour WA 2014 L Osburn

Steadfast and faithful God, through the history of your people of faith you have been there with us, guiding and delivering us. Give us the courage to put our faith into action, to bend our will to your way so that we bear witness to the glory of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour. Amen.