2 April 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 2 April 2014

Morning Prayer

Psalm 77

The psalmist is deeply distressed, not sleeping at night, feels alienated from God and wonders whether God has gone. He decides to remember all the blessings of the past and the evidence of God’s enduring protection. He ceases moaning and instead gives thanks. 

Jeremiah 37

Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon makes Zedekiah King. He plans to revolt against the Babylonians. The Egyptians arrive and lift the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. The Lord tells Jeremiah that the Egyptian presence will be brief, the Babylonians will return, and Jerusalem will burn.

Since the siege is lifted Jeremiah decides to go to his hometown for personal business but is arrested at the gate and accused of deserting. He is imprisoned in the cistern room of Jonathon the secretary’s house – now a prison.

Zedekiah calls for Jeremiah and asks, “Is there any word from the Lord?” (v.17). Jeremiah gives news, which gives no support to Zedekiah’s planned revolt against Babylonian rule. Jeremiah asks not to be sent back to Jonathon’s house. He is put in the King’s court of the guard and guaranteed food while supplies last.

Luke 18: 31 – 43

Jesus tells the disciples they are going to Jerusalem and exactly what is going to happen to him – including the resurrection. They do not understand.

Near Jericho they are walking and a blind beggar calls to Jesus, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (v.38). Jesus asks what the blind man wants. His sight is restored.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Pathway through the Paperbarks.
Mandurah Estuary WA 2014 L Osburn

Great and wonderful God you lead us, guide us and restore us. You lead us to calm and to faith through your actions in the past recorded in scripture. You lead us even when we rebel. You lead us especially when we don’t understand. Help us to listen to you today and to trust in your goodness and grace so that we follow as your disciples did on that journey to Jerusalem through Jesus Christ our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Wednesday 2 April March 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 78: 1 – 15

The psalmist encourages people to tell the stories of God and his relationship with the people to their children, in parables, the old sayings, the history, decrees and miracles so that they will not be stubborn or rebellious.

Exodus 3

Moses encounters God on Mt Horeb. His attention is first drawn to a burning bush that seems not to be consumed. Moses is humble, listens, and is commissioned by God to go to Egypt, free the Hebrews and return to Mt Horeb to worship. God tells Moses how to name him (I AM), that he will use his might and wonders to make the Egyptians grateful that the Hebrews leave.

Hebrews 12: 25 – 29

Where we are headed is the dwelling place of God. We can choose to road to Mt Sinai or the Road to Zion. If we take the first it is up to us. If we take the second we will be introduced by Jesus, already refined, already with the dross shaken off us. So when the shaking and refining happens – we are unshakable.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Frenchman Peak Cape Le Grand National Park
WA with a Flame Tree in the foreground. 2014 L Osburn

Gracious God, you call us to you. Help us to keep our eyes on you, our leader and our guide and to know with confidence that when we come into your presence Jesus will introduce us to you as your children through Jesus Christ and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.