5 March 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 5 March 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalms 15 and 16

The first psalm lists the moral characteristics of people who are permitted in the temple. People who tell the truth, care for their neighbour and behave ethically.

The second psalm praises and blesses God and delights in the faithful. The psalmist commits to support people of faith and uses personal testimony of how God has enriched his life.

Genesis 44: 18 – 34

Judah explains the situation of his father’s grief and concern about Joseph and Benjamin. If Benjamin does not return home it will cause his father to be bereft. Judah informs Joseph that his own life is already a surety for Benjamin and so offers to take Benjamin’s place in prison. If Benjamin does not go home Jacob will die.

Luke 13: 22 – 35

In response to a question about who will be saved, Jesus says that the opportunity is there for everyone. It is a demanding path that requires more than a causal interest in Jesus and heaven is available to all. That offer is still open, even after his death.

Pharisees come and warn Jesus that Herod wants to kill him. Jesus says he has work to do but will leave because prophets are killed in Jerusalem. He laments over Jerusalem and says how he would love to nurture the people – like a hen gathers her brood – but they are unwilling. Jesus will not return to Jerusalem until the time when the people say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”. 

Collect for Morning Prayer

Morning in the forest
Armadale WA 2014 L Osburn

Nurturing and loving God, you want to care for us and so often we are unwilling. Open our hearts to let you in so that we: recognise your faithful ones, celebrate their commitment and love, remember that you forgive us when we repent and free us from our past, sustain us on our path and bring us to you through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Thursday 5 March 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 17: 1 – 13 (14) 15 - 16

The psalmist is a faithful and devout person who has been beset by wicked enemies. God’s protection and care is requested. God is asked to overthrow the wickedness. The psalmist wants relationships restored: him with God, the people with God and with him.

Jeremiah 31: 1 – 14

The promise that God will bring the people who are scattered home and they will be more united than before. God will comfort them.

Hebrews 9: 1 – 10

The writer describes the original sanctuary arrangements. A tent for all the rituals and a second – the holy place- only for the high priest once a year. While we are busy with the business of the first tent ‘the way to the sanctuary has not yet been disclosed” (v 8). Encountering God is not in the busy-ness or rituals. It is something deeper.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Agricultural water tank
Armadale WA 2014 L Osburn

Oh God of the personal, the close, the relationship, quiet us now. Calm us and still us so that we in this sacred moment can stop our busy-ness and encounter you in all your depth and wonder through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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