10 March 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 10 March 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.

Genesis 47: 13 – 31

The drought continues in Egypt and beyond. The people have no more money to buy grain. Joseph first takes their remaining livestock as payment and then their land. The land becomes Pharaoh’s, except for that owned by the high priests. People are required to pay one fifth of their produce to Pharaoh. They are enslaved and grateful.

The drought ends. Egypt flourishes. Israel dies and Joseph is with him. He asks for his bones to be buried in his ancestral ground. Joseph promises he will make this happen.

Luke 15: 11 – 32

Jesus tells the parable of the loving father (the prodigal son). The father loves both sons: the wastrel son and the good son.

Collect for Morning Prayer

He come out to meet us
Harrietville Vic 2014 L Osburn

Holy and loving God, you care for us all and come to meet us when we turn to you. Keep us safe from harm this day. Guide us in our decision-making so that we may bring glory and honour and praise to you through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday 10 March 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 27

“The Lord is my light and salvation: whom shall I fear?”  The psalmist seeks God’s face, God’s teaching and God’s level path and ends with “Wait for the Lord: be strong and let your heart take courage: wait for the Lord.”

Jeremiah 32: 16 – 35

Jeremiah praises God for all the care and blessing bestowed on the people from the beginning of time. He acknowledges their faithlessness and worship of other Gods in the region and even on the roofs of their homes in Jerusalem. God sees the people sacrificing their children to Molech – which is an abomination. The Chaldeans are fighting and will destroy the city. So Jeremiah wonders whether buying land is really wise. God’s answer is “… is anything too hard for me?”

Hebrews 10: 19 – 31

The writer reminds us that we have Jesus as our great high priest so we can approach worship with confidence. We are to hold fast the confession of our faith. We should encourage each other to do good things and to love – that is discipline. And now that we have this eternal lifeline and are nearly in the boat of salvation, don’t cut the line and jump back into the raging sea.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Sailing boat at rest
Esperance WA 2014 L Osburn

God of care and blessing from the beginning, you have given us Jesus and we can with confidence approach you and seek your face. Keep reminding us that nothing is impossible for you so that we hand our concerns and plans to your care, hold fast to our faith and encourage others to choose the path of love and attain your eternal salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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