28 March 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 28 March 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalm 71

This psalmist is an older person who has had a life of connection with God.  The psalm is of praise and a plea for deliverance from personal enemies. The psalmist promises to use music to proclaim God and praise God.

Exodus 10: 21 – 11: 10

The ninth plague is dense darkness that covers Egypt but not where the Israelites live. Pharaoh calls Moses and says he can take the men women and children to worship God but not the livestock. Moses says they need them all so they can choose which to sacrifice. Pharaoh gets angry and threatens Moses with death if Pharaoh sees him again. Moses is clear he will not see Pharaoh again. He delivers the message about the final plague – the death of all first-born humans and creatures of the Egyptians. No alarm will be raised – no human or animal will do this killing. Then all Egypt will send the Israelites out.

Luke 21: 29 – 22: 6

Consider the fig tree. We know summer is coming by the sprouts.  This generation will not pass away until this occurs and Jesus’s words will never pass away.  So be on guard that your hearts are not weighed down with worry, dissipation or drunkenness – be ready and not caught in a trap. Be alert and pray that you may have the strength to escape all the things to come and to stand before Jesus.

Jesus teaches in the temple each day and goes to the Mount of Olives each night. Passover is coming. The chief priests and scribes are looking for a way to assassinate Jesus. Satan influences Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus when there are no crowds present.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Cascading Roses
Harrietville Vic 2014
L Osburn

Great God on whom we can rely, you take the burden of our worries and fears, you energise us so that we don’t waste our time and you fill us with joy so that praising you is our relaxation. Keep us mindful of your great gift: the cost that won this promise, so that we have the strength to endure and come at last to stand before you in your eternal peace through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Saturday 28 March 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 65 – 88

In this section the psalmist says that in the past he had gone astray, then was punished and humbled. These events led to study of the law and following God. Now, others are being arrogant, flout the law and attack him. The psalmist asks for deliverance and promises to keep the faith and be steadfast.

Jeremiah 45

Jeremiah has delivered his prophesy about the destruction of the Judeans in Egypt. Baruch the scribe writes Jeremiah’s words and in this brief chapter writes the prophecy Jeremiah gave in the fourth year of Jehoiakim’s reign about himself, Baruch. Baruch will live through the trouble to come.

Hebrews 4: 1 – 11

God’s rest was not just on the last day of creation or when the Israelites arrived in Canaan. God’s rest remains open to us all, today. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harder your hearts.” God’s rest is salvation.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Pools in the Karri Forest
WA 2014 L Osburn

Holy Lord of rest and peace you have given us the way to you. Bring us this night into quiet stillness where we may contemplate and feel the deep well of your peace and be refreshed to do your will in this world you love through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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