7 April 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 7 April 2014

Morning Prayer

Psalm 90

This is a group lament. There is a separation from God and a plea that there be as many days connected to God as there have been separation. The psalmist asks for God’s compassion on the people and that the work of human hands may prosper.

Jeremiah 40: 1 – 12

Jeremiah is given his freedom, food and a choice of where he will live. He decides to stay in Mizpah with Gelaliah who had been appointed governor. Gelaliah promises to faithfully represent the people to Babylon. The remnant peoples congregate, take over land left by the exiles, make it productive and store the excess.

Matthew 21: 23 – 46

Jesus is questioned about his authority. He is able to turn the question around. He tells parables of judgement. If we recognise God’s hand in the ministry of John the Baptist and Christ we will listen, follow and inherit the kingdom. If we think God has no role then we need to resolve the question of the miracles, healing and ministry of both.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Respecting the Choices of Others:   Mandurah Estuary WA
2014 L Osburn

Empowering God you have given us the freedom to choose to submit or rebel: to stay close to you or experience the distance. We know that separation from you is a hard place to be. Help us to be confident and secure in our choice and respect the choices of others so that your transforming grace may be experienced by all through Jesus Christ our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Monday 7 April 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 89 – 104

The psalmist expresses faith in God’s word – commitment to God and the law. The psalm also shows the effect of the scriptures on the psalmist through meditation, understanding and a guide for life.

Exodus 7: 8 – 24

God tells Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh again. First the staff of Moses becomes a snake. Pharaoh’s magicians can do that too. Moses’s snake eats the magicians’ snakes. When that has no effect on Pharaoh, Moses and Aaron raise the staff and cause the water of the Nile to run red like blood and the fish to die. Pharaoh’s magicians can do this too. Pharaoh turns away, none of this affects him.

Galatians 6: 11– 18

Paul, himself writes the last section of this letter – he isn’t a trained scribe so his letters are larger. The outward bodily signs of belief (circumcision, marks of persecution for faith) are not what we are to boast about or worry about. What we boast about is Christ crucified for us and as a consequence, our separation from the call of the world. This new creation is everything. Paul blesses the readers.

Collect for Evening Prayer

 Confidence: Mandurah Estuary WA
2014 L Osburn

Merciful and gracious God, everything is possible with you. You do not need signs or wonders from us. You only ask that we have humble and contrite hearts open to your word and offer of grace. Help us Lord each and every day to recommit ourselves to you, to start again as a new creation through Jesus Christ to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.