12 May 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 12 May 2014 

Morning Prayer   

Psalm 33

This psalm is a great hymn of praise to God citing evidence including creation, oversight of nations, strength beyond that of people or war-horses, the steadfast love that delivers our souls from death. The psalm ends saying our souls waits for the Lord, our hearts are glad because we trust and an appeal for God’s steadfast love to be with us.

Numbers 3: 5 – 13 and 40 – 51

Aaron and his family are the high priests. God instructs Moses to make the Levites (descendants of Levi) members of Aaron’s family and therefore be the priests. These people and their livestock are counted. Then all the firstborns, over one month old, from all the other families (including animals) are counted. Since the Levites are in the priesthood the firstborns are no longer expected to go because a Levite was their substitute. If there are more firstborn than Levites then the people have to pay a redemption price (5 shekels per head) based on a shekel held in the sanctuary.

John 11: 1 – 16

Jesus is safely away from Jerusalem when he hears that Lazarus is sick. Mary and Martha want him to come and heal Lazarus. Jesus delays, knowing that Lazarus’s illness will lead to glorifying God. After two days he decides to go and the disciples try to talk him out of it for his safety. He replies that God decides when he will die. He explains that Lazarus is dead. Thomas says, let’s go and if we die, we die with Jesus.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Drift wood and grass
Mandurah Estuary WA
2014 L Osburn

Almighty God, you sent your son as our great high priest who walked and lived with us. We give you thanks and praise for your grace and mercies. Be with us today and help us to listen and walk with you in trust and with courage through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Monday 12 May April 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 31

This powerful psalm is on the theme of taking refuge in God and has the words “Into your hand I commit my spirit”. The second part asks for God’s grace and the final part praises God.

Exodus 24

Moses and Aaron and 70 elders approach the mountain. Moses directs a sacrifice and reads the covenant between God and the Israelites and seals it ceremonially. Then he and the small group go up. Moses with Joshua go further up to receive the tablets of stone. The elders return to the people.

1 Corinthians 3: 18 – 4: 5

Paul warns against thinking we are wise and being proud of our abilities because what is wise to humans is foolish with God and can cause divisions in the community. God does not belong to any leader but everything belongs to God. Instead Paul suggests we think of ourselves as servants and stewards of God’s mysteries, so we need to be trustworthy. Who judges whether we are? Only God. We are often not aware of our own deep motivations and certainly we cannot assess that in others.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Paperbark: Peeling off the layers
Mandurah Estuary WA
2014 L Osburn

Holy God, there is great mystery in your commitment and covenant with is. It is a mystery that Jesus died for us. Be with us now as we recommit our spirit and our lives and our service this day to you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.