13 May 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 13 May 2014 

Morning Prayer   

Psalm 35: 1 – 17

This section of the psalm asks for God to contend with personal enemies: those who fight, who devise evil, who ensnare, who are malicious witnesses, who repay good for evil and, who mock. The psalmist asks, “say to my soul ‘I am your salvation’ ” (v.3).

Numbers 6:  1 – 8 and 6: 22 – 7: 5

These are the instructions for the group of Israelites who make special vows, called the Nazarites. Nazarites must not cut their hair and not consume anything from a grape vine (not even seeds). They are to stay away from the dead, and not go to cemeteries.

Aaron’s benediction is in the second section “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace” (vs.24 – 26).

On the day that Moses finishes setting up the tent of the tabernacle the leaders of the twelve tribes bring gifts for the use of the temple and for the Levites.

John 11: 17 – 37

Jesus arrives at Bethany. Martha runs out to meet him and says if Jesus had been there Lazarus would not have died and that she believed that God would still do what Jesus asks. Jesus says that Lazarus will rise again. Martha states her belief that in the resurrection in the end times, Lazarus will rise again. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and anyone who believes in me shall never die” (v.25). Martha confirms her belief and says to Jesus that he is the Messiah. Martha goes to get Mary, who goes quickly to Jesus and kneels at his feet; she is weeping and those around her are too. Jesus weeps.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Jan and Graham's cherry tomatoes in the morning
Armadale WA 2014 L Osburn

Compassionate and loving God, you  bless us and keep us safe. You feel our grief and pain. Bless us and keep us today. Shine your face on us. Give us your grace and peace so that we secure in your love may joyfully do your will and bring glory to you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Tuesday 13 May April 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 35: 18 – 29 and 36

The end of the first psalm continues the plea for God to contend with personal enemies and vows to praise God when the psalmist is vindicated.

The second psalm describes the character of those who are wicked. It then describes the character of God “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light”(v.9). The psalm ends in a plea for steadfast love and salvation.

Exodus 25: 1 – 22

These are the instructions for the building of the tent tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant and the furnishings.

1 Corinthians 4: 6 – 21

Paul reminds the Corinthians that anything they have, they have by grace and therefore should not boast. They are indeed blessed. The Apostles are seen to be fools, and rubbish, poorly clothed, held in disrepute and beaten. And when this happens the apostles bless people and speak kindly. They support themselves with work.

The Corinthians have none of these demands. Paul appeals to them to be gentle with each other. He sends Timothy to them to support them and hopes that when he arrives he will see people of humility and power, not people who are proud or arrogant.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Di's cheerful garden snail.
Mandurah WA 2014 L Osburn

Holy and loving God we thank you for the gift of this day and all the opportunities we have had to work and to serve you. We are indeed blessed. Tonight as we reflect on all the things that went right today, give us grace to be humble and know that you are the one who has supplied the opportunities and the wherewithal to achieve. Give us grace and your power too, that we refreshed tomorrow can respond gently and kindly to those who do not see our worth or your worth, so that we are indeed your people of humility and power equipped to do your will through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.