10 January 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 10 January 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalm 25

This psalm is a plea for protection from personal enemies. The psalmist asks for guidance and forgiveness and to be taught God’s way and truth.

Song of Songs 5: 2 – 9

Again the women dreams that her lover comes, that she goes to him but he is gone and she searches, is found by the city guards and beaten. In her dream her mantle is removed – she is exposed in her love.

The chorus asks, what makes her beloved so special?

John 5: 30 – 47

Jesus says that his judgements are just because he has no interest in the outcome. He is not doing anything to promote himself. Those who testify for and on behalf of Jesus are: God – and that testimony is true, John the Baptist, the God given works Jesus does, and the scriptures.

He says that the Jews search for eternal life in the scriptures and the scriptures say Jesus will come and bring life but they refuse to come to Jesus to have life. Instead they accept glory from fellow humans. Isn’t it better to accept God’s glory from God directly?

Jesus says that Moses wrote about him and if they won’t believe Moses, they are not going to believe Jesus.

Collect for Morning Prayer

The Old Pier
Eucla WA 2014 L Osburn

Holy Lord, you ask for internal examination of our priorities and motives. Help us today to remove the mantle covering our inners selves, to take moments to check whether we are putting the approval of others ahead of you and whether we are seeking things that are not you, so that we identify these parts of ourselves and bring them to you that we too may be healed and given fullness of life through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Saturday 10 January 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 63

As a drought-ravaged land seeks water so our souls seek God. God’s love is better than life. God’s love is like a rich feast. Meditating on God causes our souls to sing.

The psalm ends with a plea for personal security.

Joshua 3

To cross the Jordan into the Promised Land Joshua has the priests carry the ark of the Lord to the edge of the river. The river pulls back. The take it to the centre and all the army of Joshua and the people pass safely to the other side. Before leaving Joshua commands that rocks be removed from the centre of the river and placed on the shore of the new land. Then the ark is brought to dry land.

Mark 10: 32 – 45

Jesus leads the way to Jerusalem. The disciples are astonished – the followers are afraid. Jesus predicts his betrayal, mocking, beating, condemning to death, death and resurrection.

James and John the sons of Zebedee confess their loyalty and want positions of power and authority in Jesus’s kingdom. Jesus tells them they do not know what they are asking for and can they really go through what he is about to endure? They say they will. Jesus replies that indeed they will but to give them a position of power in the kingdom is not for him to grant.

When the other disciples hear about the brothers they are indignant. Jesus clarifies that those who wish to lead need to be servants. Jesus came not to be served but to serve.

Collect for Evening Prayer

The Old Pier
Eucla WA 2014 L Osburn

Wonderful God, you teach us and show us that we are to put you first, that our souls seek you and that your love is better than life. Hold us gently now as we reflect on our day and recall the times were we sought to serve others. Strike up a song of praise and thanksgiving in our hearts for these your gifts of grace through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.