24 May 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 24 May 2014 

Morning Prayer   

Psalms 56 and 57

The first psalm speaks of trust in God who is our salvation and who is with us when we fear the actions of other people. It ends in praise and commitment to faith.

The second psalm again is an appeal for aid against enemies who are compared to lions. The psalm shifts to praise. The psalmist wakes each morning to sing God’s praise, to uplift the soul and to ask God to be exalted in the world: to let God’s glory shine.

Numbers 16: 41 – 17: 12

The remaining people now rebel against Moses and Aaron accusing them of killing the others. Moses and Aaron go to the tent of meeting and the cloud of God descends. The people start to die of a plague. Moses tells Aaron to light an incense censer from fire from the altar to make atonement for the people. Aaron complies and stands between the people and the plague and the plague stops.

God instructs Moses to get twelve staves, one for each tribe and inscribe the names of the families on each staff. For Levi’s tribe it is inscribed with Aaron at the head. The staves are brought into the tent of meeting near the covenant and the one that sprouts is whom God chooses. The staff of Aaron not only sprouts it has leaves, almond blossom and ripe almonds.

The people continue to worry about their plight.

John 13: 21 – 35

Jesus states clearly that one of the disciples will betray him. Peter asks him who and Jesus indicates Judas by giving him dipped bread and instructing him to do what he will do quickly. The others think Judas is going for supplies.

Jesus tells them that the time has come for him and for God to be glorified, that he is only with them a short time now and, that they cannot follow him where he is about to go. He proclaims the new commandment to love one another as Christ loves us.

Collect for Morning Prayer

North Mine House Broken Hill NSW
2014 L Osburn

Almighty and ever living God, you have shown your steadfast care for us and sent us leaders and your own Son. Help us to trust in you when we are fearful. Help us to be steadfast in our faith especially when we encounter the stealthy approach of things that might separate us from you, or derail our trust in you. Keep us loving others as you love us, even in difficult times so that we may always be counted as yours through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saturday 24 May 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 60 and 61

The army has failed in a battle and the people of the country are suffering. This psalm is an appeal to God to be with the army in battle. The psalm ends with “With God we shall do valiantly” (v12).

The second psalm is a prayer for protection. God is describes as a rock, a shelter, a hiding place and a great bird under whose wings we are protected.

Exodus 34: 27 – 35: 9

Moses on Mt Sinai receives the commandments and brings them down. His face glows with the glory of God and people are afraid to approach. Moses talks with them then veils his face. He unveils to talk with God, and to deliver the messages to the people and then veils again. He instructs that specific offerings be brought for the ornamentation of the priest’s outfit and the tabernacle.

1 Corinthians 9: 15 – 27

Paul is not claiming the rights he has for support from the community. He proclaims the gospel by free will and because of a commission from God, so his is serving not boasting. He makes sure that he relates to all people, Jews, Romans, meek, anyone, so that the message can be received. He compares being a Christian to being an athlete –we need to train, be disciplined and run the race as if to win. Athletes do this for a token; we do it for an eternal prize. So Paul doesn’t do aimless things. He does not “box thin air”. He disciplines himself so that he is qualified to be in the race and to win.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Head of the Bight SA
Great Australian Bight and Southern Ocean
2014  L Osburn

Holy and loving God, you are with us in this world where armies fail, countries suffer and people flee to you for protection. You are the same Lord who gave us the commandments and sent your own Son to redeem us. Be with us now at the end of this day. Comfort us and remind us of all the grace and love you have poured out on us and refresh us this night so that we can do your will and hasten the day when all people experience your glory face to face through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.