26 March 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 26 March 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalms 65 and 70

Psalm 65 is a glorious hymn of praise to God, who forgives us, saves us, satisfies our souls and creates the world and everything in it. In particular it gives praise for the food we receive at harvest time.

Psalm 70 is a plea for help in time of urgent need. It asks for those who seek harm to be confused and turned back and those who seek God to rejoice and give praise.

Exodus 9: 13 – 35

The next plague on Egypt is hail. The hail is the heaviest ever experienced. All creatures and people left outside die, the flax and the barley crops are ruined. Some Egyptians who heed the warning get their people and livestock to shelter. The others die. The Israelite land of Goshen has no hail. Pharaoh admits he is wrong and allows the Israelites to go and worship. Moses is wise and gets himself out of the city before he stops the hail. As soon as the hail stops, Pharaoh changes his mind again. His heart is hardened.

Luke 21: 1 – 19

Jesus sees a poor widow put two small coins – all she had – into the temple treasury. Her offering is the most valuable. Those who give much give from their excess. She gives from her poverty.

Jesus then prophecies: the temple will be destroyed; others will come claiming to be the Christ; wars and insurrections will come, we are not be to afraid, though the end comes closer they will not be the end; there will be earthquakes and famines; Christians will be persecuted; when brought before rulers we are not to prepare our defence but rely on the words Christ will give us; Christians will be betrayed by their own friends and families and be hated because of Christ.

But, he says that by our endurance we will gain our souls.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Camellias
Harrietville Vic. 2015 L Osburn

Saving, loving and forgiving God, you are there for us in hardship, betrayal, persecution, oppression and hatred. You have promised to respond to us, to give us the words and endurance we need. Be with us now even if our concerns are tiny compared with the troubles of the world and open our hearts to praise you and thank you for your most bounteous and continual blessings through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Thursday 26 March 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 66

A great song of praise to God: “Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth” (v 1).  The psalmist lists the gifts of God and particularly that prayers are answered. God is a God of steadfast love.

Jeremiah 42: 7 – 22

It takes Jeremiah 10 days to have a clear message to tell the people. His prophecy is that if they stay the Babylonians will treat them mercifully. Their communities will be established and grow. If however, they go to Egypt they will be overtaken by the Babylonians, killed, encounter famine and illness and die. Jeremiah is very clear about the prophecy and knows the people do not obey what God says. He is aware that they have decided to go to Egypt.

Colossians 2: 8 – 15

Paul warns not to allow us to be captured by philosophy or empty deceit or elemental spirits but only according to Christ. In Christ all deity dwells. We have new forms of circumcision, baptism, burial and rebirth. We have been made alive through forgiveness. We do not have to go through the legalistic rules – those were all nailed to the cross. Christ disarmed rules and authorities and triumphed.

Collect for Evening Prayer

New Norcia Benedictine Community
WA 2014 L Osburn

Oh God who loves us and delivers us, we give you thanks and praise and glory and honour. Help us look to the cross, to listen to your word and to accept your great gift of love so that we, newly alive again through your grace and forgiveness may step out in confidence all the days of our lives knowing that all fears and limits are nailed down and you are with us triumphant through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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