4 June 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 4 June 2014

Morning Prayer   

Psalm 80

This psalm is a prayer for deliverance for national enemies. It compared Israel to a vine.

Numbers 24: 1 – 11

Balaam, the diviner, knew that it pleased God to bless Israel and so instead of looking for omens as was his practice he looks at the wilderness and the nation of Israel and blesses them and prophesies. Balak, king of Moab, is angry, tells Balaam to go home and denies him his fee for his service.

John 17: 6 – 19

Jesus prays and asks God to protect the disciples – not to protect them so much that they are taken from the world – but to be with them. Jesus states that he has passed on to the disciples the things God wanted them to know, they believe. Only Judas Iscariot was lost and that was prophesied. Jesus says all these things out loud so that the disciples can be joyful. Jesus asks that the disciples be sanctified in truth.

Collect for Morning Prayer

The Travellers' Cross Eucla WA
2014 L Osburn

God of blessings and truth and promise you work through all manner of people: a fearful king who calls a diviner who blesses your people and a disciple who betrays so that your glory can be revealed and we can be redeemed. Be with us today, no matter what occurs or whom we meet. Keep us in the knowledge that you are with us and that you are the great Lord who can turn a crucifixion into a triumph, so that we can go boldly into this world you love and live out our faith through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Wednesday 4 June 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalm 81

The psalm begins with praise and thanksgiving. It moves on to remembering the gifts of God and how he saved and delivered the people. Finally there is a lament that the people’s hearts are hard, that they are not listening and until they do they will be besieged. God wants to feed us with fine things. The choice is left open.

Deuteronomy 32: 10 – 22

Moses continues his song to the people. He tells of all the blessings and protections from God and how they, like a well-fed animal rebel and worship all sorts of other gods. He reminds them of God’s wrath.

1 Corinthians 12: 14 – 31

Paul continues using the metaphor of the church as a body. Just like the body has different parts so we all have different positions and roles and just because we do not do something someone else does, it does not make us less a part of the whole. He goes further. In our own bodies, we cover and give more respect and care to the parts we think are less honourable. Not everyone has all the gifts. Not everyone speaks in tongues or heals or teaches or does miracles. We are to respect our contributions and the contributions of all and honour everyone, especially ‘the least of us”, remembering that if one part of the body suffers the whole body suffers.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Children at play Bussleton WA
2014 L Osburn

God of blessings and of grace we thank you for all you give us and for each other, great and small, strong and weak. Be with us now as we reflect on today and the gifts and contributions we have received from others in the faith and give thanks for your work through them so that we are always aware that you sustain us all together in unity through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the your Holy Spirit. Amen.