15 March 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Sunday 15 March 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalm 69: 20 – 25

The psalmist is suffering from insults and dishonour. When he goes for counsel and support the response is bitter, and heart-breaking – no real compassion. The psalmist is very angry, he wants God’s wrath to destroy and punish, but he leaves that anger with and for God.

Galatians 2: 11 – 21

Paul reports how he strongly criticised Cephas (Peter). Peter lives by the spirit and not by the law but has begun to draw back from the Christians who are not Jewish and has stopped eating with them. Paul argues that if the people from these other nations need to become Jews then Peter too has to live according to the law and demonstrate that life. He also argues that Peter is building up what he once pulled down and if he does so he shows himself to have been wrong.  Paul says we are not wrong. We have died to the law, we have been crucified with Christ, and it is Christ who lives in us. Our earthly physical lives are lived by faith with Jesus who loves us.

If, however our justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Feet of clay?
Broken Hill NSW 2015

God of justice and God of peace you know that we all fail, even those who are faithful. You know that we get angry and frustrated. Give us the grace to talk through the difficulties or when we can’t, hand our anger to you so that our earthly, physical lives are lived by faith with Jesus who loves us. Amen.

Sunday 15 March     2015

Evening Prayer

Jeremiah 31: 27 – 37

Jeremiah reveals God’s plan not only to restore the people of Israel and Judah, their animals, the city and expand its footprint. The new covenant is introduced. A covenant where the law is written in people’s hearts, people will automatically know the Lord. Their sins will be forgiven.

Psalm 119: 73 – 80

The psalmist praises God for his being and asks for understanding of the law, rejoicing from the faithful, humility, comfort from God’s steadfast love, mercy and continued delight in the law. The psalmist asks that the arrogant be shamed. He will he meditate on God’s precepts and with God’s help will advise people correctly.

Mark 15: 1 - 20

In the morning, bound, Jesus is led to Pilate. Pilate asks him whether he is the King of the Jews. Jesus answers, “You say so”. The accusations are heard and Jesus says nothing. Pilate is amazed.

Pilate is prepared to release Jesus, as is the custom at the festival. The Chief priests stir up the crowd and demand Barrabas (a murdering insurgent) be released. Pilate asks what the crowd want him to do with Jesus. They shout, “Crucify him!” Pilate has Jesus flogged then hands him over to be crucified. The soldiers lead him to the courtyard of the palace, robe him in a purple cloak, twist thorns into a crown for his head, mock him, hit him and spit on him. They remove the accessories and lead him out to be crucified.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Cockatoos  surfing on a tree in a gale
Lake Mulwala NSW 2015

Compassionate and loving God who created us, you forgive our sins through the crucifixion of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Work in our hearts every day, no matter what circumstances we are in so that we are humble, listen, meditate on your word, seek restoration and resolution and use power to bring our world to your freedom through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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