31 March 2015
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Tuesday 31
March 2015
Morning
Prayer
Psalm 27
“The Lord is my light and salvation whom shall I fear”
(v. 1). The psalm begins with great words of consolation. The psalmist is in
trouble and waits patiently on the Lord. Living close to and with God, being in
God’s presence is the only thing desired. The psalmist promises sacrifices of
praise and song. “ ‘Come,’ my heart says, ‘seek his face.’” (v.8).
Lamentations 3: 1 – 18 (19 – 30)
The first section described dreadful personal and
physical distress: “my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness
is” (v.17). The lament moves on calling to mind God’s steadfast love and that
God does listen to and come to those who wait for him. Sometimes it is right to
sit quietly and wait.
John 15: 1 – 16: 4a
Jesus is the true vine and God the vine grower. Like a
vine grower God cuts off branches that bear no fruit and prunes the rest so
that the next harvest is full. We have been cleansed and are part of Jesus’s
vine. We need to stay connected to the rootstock to be able to bear fruit. A
branch removed cannot bear fruit – and usually gets thrown in a fire. We need to stay connected to Jesus.
If we stay connected then our prayers will be
answered, we will be disciples, bear fruit and our lives will glorify God.
As God loves Jesus so Jesus loves us. We are to
continue to live in that love. As Jesus loves God and keeps the commandments so
we are to love Jesus. Jesus tells us this so that we may experience his joy and
that our joy will be complete.
Jesus commands us to love one another as Jesus loves us.
Jesus calls the disciples friends for he tells them what he does, he chooses
them and appoints them to bear everlasting fruit.
Jesus prepares them to have difficult times ahead – to
be hated by the world and persecuted. He prepares them for success through
those who keep Jesus’s word and who will also respond to the disciples.
Jesus says that if he had not come we would be unaware
of our sins. But since he is here, we are aware and have no excuse. If people
hate Jesus even though they have seen the works he did, they hate God too. He
quotes scripture that prophesied that he would be hated without cause.
Jesus tells us this so that we keep from stumbling and
so that we are prepared for persecution when it comes.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
Vines and Grapes Gapsted Vic 2014 L Osburn |
Holy and loving God you are there for us when we come back
to you and set our eyes on you alone. You welcome us even if it takes illness
and disaster to recalibrate our lives. Open our hearts, minds and soul to
Jesus’ words and love so that we graft our lives to Jesus, choose love, bear
fruit, endure what is to come and live lives that bring you glory and honour and
praise through Jesus Christ Your Son our
Lord. Amen.
Tuesday 31 March
2015
Evening
Prayer
Psalm 69: 1 – 21
The psalmist is in deep trouble. The psalm suggests he
has been fiercely promoting a particular policy or procedure and the outcomes
are negative and unexpected so that his reputation is destroyed. He admits he
was wrong. He is doing penance and now is suffering ridicule and community
humiliation. The psalmist asks for rescue and redemption and will sit
faithfully and wait for God’s response.
Lamentations 3: 40 – 51
The lamentation moves on to self-examination and
repentance to admitting the rebellion and transgressions. There is an
acceptance that the offences are great and, as a result, prayers appear to be
unheard. Enemies, panic, devastation and destruction are in charge. Grief is
overwhelming.
Romans 5: 6 – 11
We are
reconciled to God through the death of Jesus and that happened while we were
separated, enemies, before we ever repented. So, now we are reconciled we are
saved and that is something to celebrate.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
The Old Pier Eucla WA 2014 L Osburn |
Compassionate God you know the full pain and suffering we
experience when we recognise our sins. You know what it is like to be cut off
and separated, alone and bereft. You suffered for us to bring us back even
before we were aware, before we repented. Be with us now as we sit in thankful
awe and wonder at your great gift to us. Help us lift our hearts to you in
never ending thanks and praise through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
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