21 April 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 21 April 2014 

Morning Prayer   

Psalm 2

The psalm begins with a rhetorical question on why the people and rulers of the earth take little notice of God or actively work against God and his messiah. God is described able to retaliate but instead sets up a king. The king is God’s son and the nations to the ends of the earth are under the son’s authority. All nations are counselled to be wise and serve in humility and take refuge in him.

Isaiah 60: 1 – 11

This section talks to Jerusalem. It is about the restoration of Jerusalem.  God’s light has come so that you can stand up and shine. People will gather from everywhere. Lift up your eyes and look. You will be delighted in what they bring to celebrate you. People from other lands and their kings will help to rebuild you.

John 20: 1 – 18

Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb to mourn. The tomb is open so she immediately runs to tell the disciples. They arrive back before her. They see the linen wrappings folded neatly and no one inside the tomb. They realise Christ is risen. Mary returns. She weeps then looks in the tomb. There she sees two angels who ask why she is weeping. Then another voice asks her the same thing from behind her and she thinks it is the gardener. She is prepared to get the body (which would make her ritually unclean). The voice calls her by name and she recognises Jesus. She calls him teacher. He tells her not to hold on to him but to tell the others. She goes and tells them, “I have seen the Lord” (v.18).

Collect for Morning Prayer

Morning in the Di's Garden
Mandurah WA 2014 L Osburn

Holy God, you are the God of mystery and wonder. In scripture we learn of the glory of the establishment of a king in Judah and the wondrous restoration of Jerusalem. We learn of your son, the messiah, who humbly, quietly restored to life, gently reveals himself to Mary. You who can perform majestic wonders choose to bring us the great good news sensitively, so that we can take it in. Lord you love us so much. Through your grace give today to have a moment with you where we can take in your overwhelming love so that we experience the revitalising joy of restoration through Jesus Christ our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Monday 21 April 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 110

This psalm is concerned with the installation of a king. The king sits at God’s right hand and God is said to protect and support the king. The king is also a priest. God is prepared to support the king.

Exodus 12: 1 – 20

This is the story of the Passover with Moses and Aaron in Egypt receiving God’s instructions to the Hebrews so that the Lord would pass over their homes and they would be saved. There is too the instruction that this feast of the Passover should be a perpetual celebration. There are instructions about not working in this festival and eating unleavened bread.

1 Peter 1: 1 – 9

This is Peter’s letter to early Christian communities. He blesses God and Christ for the new life into a living hope won through Christ’s death and resurrection. What we have cannot fade away- it is everlasting and eternal. Peter acknowledges the communities have been through tough times. It is worth it for the outcome of faith is salvation of our souls.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Bush Blossoms Denmark WA
2014  L Osburn

Faithful and steadfast God you are with us and care for us. We thank you for the redemption of our souls won by Christ for all time. We give you thanks for this day and all the days to come. Spur us on to praise and thank you always through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.