2 May 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 2 May 2014 

Morning Prayer   

Psalms 5 and 6

This first psalm asks for God to hear the prayers of the victim of harmful lies. God has no time for wickedness. The psalmist will go to the temple knowing that he too is not yet righteous and needs help to stay on the path. The psalmist takes the problem to God and does not retaliate. Instead he asks for all who take refuge in the Lord to experience joy and protection and exult and bless the Lord.

Debilitating and terrifying illness has struck and the psalmist. It is shaking the psalmist’s faith. God is asked to lovingly respond. The psalmist stands against evil and proclaims the Lord’s swift response.

Leviticus 19: 1 – 18

This is a set of ethical behaviours and the source of the injunction to love your neighbour. To be able to follow these first we are required to understand that we are holy just as God is holy – all of us.

The behaviours are: revere your parents, keep the Sabbath, reject idolatry, if you are going to sacrifice do it properly, don’t eat sacrificed meat after the second day, leave some of your produce available for the poor and aliens, don’t steal, mislead or lie, don’t make contracts in God’s name then break them, don’t defraud anyone, pay workers on the day they do their work, treat deaf and blind with respect, be impartial in delivering justice, no slandering, no profiting from harm to others, don’t hate anyone - correct them – then do not hold a grudge and  “you shall love your neighbour as yourself” (v.17).

Luke 24: 28 – 35

Two of the disciples are walking on the road to Emmaus They pressure the stranger to stay and eat with them. At dinner, at the breaking of the bread they recognise Jesus – then he is gone. They immediately go back to Jerusalem. They hear Peter’s report and tell their own experience.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Great Australian Bight - The rocks under our country
2014 L Osburn

 Loving God, you remind us through scripture of what we need to do stay on the right path: to hand our concerns to you, to be willing to examine our understanding of ourselves and our behaviours, and to be open to teaching and learning. Give us your grace and courage to take the first step of understanding that all of us are holy just as you are holy so that we have a firm base on which to build our behaviours and bring glory to you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Friday 2 May April 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 7 and 8

In the first psalm, someone who was an ally has been harmed and the blame is being focused on the psalmist. The psalmist seeks God’s protection, calls on God to search him out and judge. The psalmist is also aware that the snares the wicked set can turn against them. The psalmist is confident in a right relationship with God and is willing to repent. The psalmist promises to praise God when rescued.

God’s majesty is praised. Every human sound is praise to God. And the psalmist marvels at that. How is it that humans have such a special place when we consider the expanse of the heavens? The psalm ends in awe, wonder and praise.

Exodus 17: 8 – 18: 9

The Amaleks a tribe from the desert, who claimed ownership, attack the Israelites at Rephidim. Joshua and his choice of men go out to fight. Moses watches from a hill and when he raises his staff the Israelites prevail and when he lowers it the Amaleks prevail. So Aaron and Hur hold Moses’ arms up until sunset and the battle is over.

Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro arrives with Moses’ wife and his two sons. Jethro hears all the stories of God’s deliverance and help. Jethro, a high priest, rejoices an all the things God is doing for Israel.

1 Peter 4: 12 – 19

Trials and difficulties are the lot of the Christian. We are not to engage in criminal behaviour or even being a mischief-maker (busy-body). But if we suffer for being a Christian we are to hold firm and behave well. The scriptures tell us that the righteous will be judged first so, make sure we are in order. If we are suffering for doing God’s will, entrust ourselves to our faithful creator and keep doing good.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Lights of Perth WA
2014 L Osburn

Compassionate and loving God you made us and love us. When we reflect on today help us to honestly come before you, to repent those things which we could have done better, or not done, celebrate your grace, recognise when others fought for us or helped us and acknowledge what you have done for us so that we can sleep in the assurance of your care and rise tomorrow refreshed to do your will through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.