4 April 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 4 April 2014

Morning Prayer

Psalm 80

This psalm is a prayer for deliverance for national enemies. It compares Israel to a vine, planted, grown, burnt...

Jeremiah 38: 14 – 28

Zedekiah has a private conversation with Jeremiah at the temple. Zedekiah tells Jeremiah his fears. He promises not to kill Jeremiah and wants to know the prophecy. Jeremiah is clear and reassures Zedekiah that if he surrenders to the Chaldeans he will live. If not, he will die, the women and children will be led out to the invading army, and Jerusalem will burn. Zedekiah knows Jeremiah will be questioned about the conversation so they set up a cover story. Jeremiah is questioned. The cover story is plausible so he is safe.

Luke 19: 11 – 27

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, some hope to be crowned King, but he is not. He tells part of the parable to help them understand he will instead go away and return some time in the future, as the King and judgement will come to those who reject God. The second part of the parable is for those who are faithful, to get on with building the Kingdom and doing the work. Doing it cautiously is fine. Doing nothing is not acceptable.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Cautious Stepping in the Tree Top Walk
Walpole WA 2014 L Osburn

Loving God you want us to live fully and to experience salvation. You have taught us through the scriptures and the life and ministry of Jesus what we need to do: love you, follow you and to share you with everyone. Help us today to take action, even cautious steps, so that at your return a world full of people will welcome you with praise and thanksgiving through Jesus Christ our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Friday 4 April 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 81

The psalm begins with praise and thanksgiving. It moves on to remembering the gifts of God and how he saved and delivered the people. Finally there is a lament that the people’s hearts are hard, that they are not listening and until they do they will be besieged. God wants to feed us with fine things. The choice is left open.

Exodus 4: 27 – 6: 1

Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh and ask for the Hebrews to be allowed three days off to worship God. This is denied and instead Pharaoh increases the workload of the Hebrews – they have to source the straw as well as make the bricks and still keep their production at the same level.

The oppression is great and the supervisors complain to Pharaoh who calls them lazy. They complain to Moses who asked God. God reasserts that the Hebrews will be freed and Pharaoh’s behaviour means that God’s hand will be revealed.

Hebrews 13: 7 – 17

The writer encourages the people to focus of Christ as the teacher and guide for their lives. He says not to worry about dietary laws since we are fed by grace. We are to know that Christ was the sacrifice and to not get caught up in rituals but to give thanks and praise, do good to others and share what we have.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Kookaburra Sanctuary Island Deniliquin NSW 2014
L Osburn

Saving God time and time again you have kept us from all sorts of trouble. You have also shown us that sometimes, when people’s hearts are hard, that is an opportunity for your greatness to shine through. We thank you for the gifts of today and ask that we be refreshed this evening so that we may continually sing your praise and glory through Jesus Christ and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.