23 March 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 23 March 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalms 54 and 55: 1 – 12

The first psalm is a plea to be saved from enemies, a statement of faith and a promise to give a free will offering to God once the psalmist is triumphant.

The second psalm portion is another plea for aid against enemies. The psalmist fears for his life and wants to run away. There is trouble around the city walls and the psalmist asks that the enemies plans be confused.

Exodus 7: 8 – 24

God tells Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh again. First the staff of Moses becomes a snake. Pharaoh’s magicians can do that too. Moses’s snake eats the magicians’ snakes. When that has no effect on Pharaoh, Moses and Aaron raise the staff and cause the water of the Nile to run red like blood and the fish to die. Pharaoh’s magicians can do this too. Pharaoh turns away, none of this affects him.

Luke 20: 1– 18

Jesus is teaching in the temple. The chief priests and scribes ask by what authority he teaches. Jesus tells a parable of a rich man leaving a vineyard to tenants. When the rent is due they stone or kills the landlord’s representative. The landlord sends his son. They kill him. Jesus asks what will the landlord do? Come remove the tenants and give it to others. He quotes scripture and asks them to interpret it. At this point they know the parable is about them and though angry, fear the response of the people if they lay hands on Jesus.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Rose on the stone wall
New Norcia Benedictine
Community WA 2014 L Osburn

God of determination, you know what it is like when we encounter foes, the disinterested, the oppressor and people who reject your message and us. Gird us with faith, arm us with love, and set our eyes and hearts on you so that we hold to your plan, and gently proceed to do your will in this world you love through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Monday 23 March 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 55: 13 – 15 (16 – 17) 18 – 28

The psalmist’s enemy is a close friend. It is harder to bear treachery from someone close. The friend has tricked another and done great harm. God will hear and respond. Lay our burdens on God. God’s is the punishment not ours. Trust God.

Jeremiah 40: 1 – 12

Jeremiah is given his freedom, food and a choice of where he will live. He decides to stay in Mizpah with Gelaliah who is the new governor. Gelaliah promises to faithfully represent the people to Babylon. The remnant peoples congregate, take over land left by the exiles, make it productive and store the excess.

2 Corinthians 5: 14 – 21

We are urged on by Christ’s death to know that he died for us all. Those who accept Christ are a new creation. We need to see them in this new way, letting go all their past. Making a fresh start.

Christ reconciles the world to God and does not count our errors. We are the ambassadors taking that message out to all and so we appeal to everyone to be reconciled with God through Christ.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Bark peeling showing the
clean new bark
Tawonga South Vic
2015 L Osburn

O God, you listen and respond to our calls to you. You pick up our burdens, bring us freedom and charge us to seek reconciliation for our selves and for those who come to you. Help us to be aware of the many times you have responded to us so that we may give you thanks and praise from deep within our hearts through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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