22 February 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Sunday 22 February 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalm 91

This psalm is one of reassurance and comfort about the care and protection the faithful have from God. “For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (v.11)”. This is a great reminder of God’s loving protection and deliverance to those who call for salvation.

Galatians 1: 1 – 12

Paul tells the Galatians of his disappointment that they are being swayed by a false gospel. He tells his story to verify his credibility. Paul received his gospel direct from a revelation of Christ.

Collect for Morning Prayer

A Narrow Way
Through an old railway cutting in the desert
Silverton NSW 2015 L Osburn

Holy Lord, our great protector and deliverer, you care for us so much that you took even a persecutor of the faithful and transformed him into a committed and determined advocate. Take away all our fears and concerns about being yours and guide us so that our lives may also be testament to your saving grace and loving care through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Sunday 22 February 2015

Evening Prayer

Jeremiah 2: 1 – 13

Jeremiah, speaking to Israel reminds the people how like a bride the nation faithfully followed God through the desert and how those who attacked her were punished. But now Israel is chasing other gods and idols. Israel is challenged to look around and find any other nation that has swapped their gods. This is a detestable state of affairs. Their sins are that they have forsaken God and set up their own ineffectual gods.

Psalm 26

The psalm is from a person who is faithful and has integrity and who has been falsely accused. The psalm asks God to look inside and to bring redemption.

Mark 14: 1 - 25

It is two days before Passover and the Feast of the Unleavened Bread. Jesus is in Bethany at the home of Simon the Leper. A woman comes, breaks open an alabaster jar of expensive perfume over Jesus’ head. Some people present think it is a waste and the perfume could have been sold and used to support the poor. Jesus asks them to leave her alone since she has done a beautiful thing that prepares Jesus’ body for burial.

Judas Iscariot goes to the chief priests to betray Jesus.

On the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples ask where Jesus wants to be for the Passover meal so that the disciples can prepare the room. Jesus gives instructions who to meet and what to say for access to an upper room.

During the meal in the upper room, Jesus says that one eating with them will betray him. The disciples are sad and worried. Jesus says that the betrayal must occur and the man will be full of woe. He takes the break, breaks it and shares it saying, “This is my body”. He takes the cup, shares it and says, “This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many”. Jesus states that his next glass of wine will be in the Kingdom of God.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Mysterious Young Kangaroo
Silverton NSW 2015
L Osburn

Holy and gracious God you have experienced denial, rejection and betrayal. You know the imperfections of humans yet you read our hearts and gave yourself to die on the cross for us. May we understand the mystery of your eternal gift to us so that we experience the redemption you won all the days of our lives through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.