27 May 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 27 May 2014 

Morning Prayer   

Psalm 68: 1 – 20

A psalm of praise to a practical God, our God. We are provided with the practical necessities homes, care for orphans and widows, water, food, crops, protection, peace and God’s presence – relationship.

Numbers 20: 22 – 21: 9

Moses takes Aaron and his son Eleazar up Mount Hor. Aaron’s vestments are removed and placed on Eleazar to now make him Chief Priest. Aaron dies on the mountain and is mourned.

A Canaanite king of Arad attacks the Israelites and takes some of them captive. The people pray and then retaliate and utterly destroy the Canaanites and their towns in that place which they called Hormah.

They journey on towards the Red Sea to avoid Edom. The people complain. Deadly serpents bite the people and many die. The people repent and Moses prays. He is told to make a brass serpent, put it on a stick and anyone who is bitten may look at the brass serpent and be healed. Moses lifts up the serpent in the wilderness and the serpent’s deadly sting leaves those bitten.

John 14: 8 – 13

Philip asks Jesus to show the disciples the Father. Jesus responds, if we have seen him we have seen the Father; if we have heard his words we have heard the Father’s words; if we have seen his deeds we have seen the Father’s deeds. The Father and Jesus are one.

He challenges them that even if they do not believe he and the Father are one to believe the deeds – the Father’s actions.

Jesus says those who believe will do greater things because he is going to the Father. However, if we ask in Jesus’s name he will do what we ask so that God can be glorified through him.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Gum blossoms Denmark WA
2014 L Osburn

Practical down to earth God, you are abundantly generous and concerned for us. Be with us today in all we do, no matter how mundane, so that each action speaks of our relationship with you, our joy in you, our commitment to you and focuses attention on your love and grace through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Tuesday 27 May 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 68: (21 – 23) 24 – 35

This section of the psalm moves first to the fierce protection God provides for his people and then to a procession and celebration of God and the people of Israel, united in Jerusalem at the temple.

Exodus 40: 17 – 38

Moses sets up the tabernacle and all the things in it precisely. A cloud settles over the tabernacle indicating God’s presence with the people. While the cloud rests the people stop and when it lifts they travel. At night the cloud glows with fire.

1 Corinthians 10: 12 – 22

Paul warns that if we think we are good and upright be aware that we do not fall. Everyone is tested and God provides us with ways out so that we can be sustained.

So, he says, flee from worshipping idols. Our ritual of communion means we share in Christ’s body and blood through the wine and bread. Through that, we unite and are made one.

What idol worshippers sacrifice and eat is not to God so we cannot be part of those ceremonies else we risk breaking the first commandment.

Collect for Evening Prayer

In the evening at Streaky Bay SA
2014 L Osburn

Great protector and companion, you keep us safe and sustain us. You only ask that we love you above all, love others as ourselves, and have a humble and contrite heart. As we reflect on today, help us see the moments you stood beside us and the moments you stood before us and protected us, so that we may more fully give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.