16 March 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 16 March 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalm 38

The psalmist is dreadfully ill, so much so that friends stand a bit further away and people who seek harm spread rumours. The psalmist stays quiet, trusting God, praying and asking for God’s salvation.

Exodus 1

Four centuries elapse and the Israelites have multiplied in Egypt and there were more Israelites than indigenous Egyptians. The new Pharaoh has no appreciation of the God of the Hebrews. He increases the burden on the people, orders midwives to kill any newborn sons of the Hebrews – they disobey. Pharaoh orders that all Hebrew male children be killed.

Luke 18: 1 – 14

Jesus explains why we need to pray and keep on praying by using a parable about a judge and a persistent widow.  She persists, he gives in. Our God is more generous and compassionate, God listens.

Jesus also tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. One goes to the temple and prays boastfully, the other repents his sins and admits his failings. The humble one will be exalted.

Collect for Morning Prayer

A Pink and Grey
The Eyre Highway SA 2014
L Osburn

Holy Lord of compassion and mercy, you listen to and respond to our fervent prayers when we are sick, oppressed or repentant. Help us today to bring all our cares and concerns to you, so that we, waiting in faith may receive your gifts of grace, mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ Your Son and You Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Monday 16 March 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 39

The psalmist is mortally ill and perceives his illness to be punishment from God. He decides to be calm and quiet in the presence of people who would bring him more grief. He asks to know how much time he has left. Humans are like passing guests, aliens. The psalmist asks for a little relief so that he can smile before he dies.

Jeremiah 36: 1 – 19

On God’s instruction, Jeremiah dictates all the prophesies against Judah to Baruch, his secretary who writes them on a single scroll and reads them in the hearing of everyone at the temple. The aim is to give the people another opportunity to repent. He is then asked to read it again to officials at the king’s house in the secretary’s chamber. They ask for the scroll and tell him to go back to Jeremiah and for both of them to hide.

Hebrews 12: 1 – 11

Since we have had all the examples of faithful people from the time of Abel, they are like a crowd cheering us on to persevere in our own race. We look to the finish line: to Jesus and to the joy that comes from his presence. When things get tough we should consider how tough they were for Christ. If God disciplines us treat it as training, as preparation for the parts of the race still to come. Discipline always is uncomfortable but the joy of achievement outweighs that discomfort.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Cycling across a continent
The Eyre Highway SA 2014
L Osburn

Wonderful loving God, you have enabled the stories of your people to come to us through the Bible: their prayers and songs to you. Let gratitude for the gift of your Son fill our hearts and empower us, knowing we are so loved and forgiven to try again, to start afresh, to see our struggles through clear eyes so that we skip, sprint and dance then settle again into the rhythmic stride that will bring us to you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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