15 April 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 15 April 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalm 104: 1 – 25

Great hymn to the creator: clouds, sea, mountains, water, grass, creatures, wine… the list goes on.  In wisdom God has made it all.

Exodus 16: 1 – 21

The Israelites are in the wilderness going towards Sinai. They have been away from Egypt for two and a half months and food is short. They complain to Aaron and Moses who say basically that they are only human, the people are complaining about God. God provides first a flock of quail then flakes of bread every morning - just enough. It goes rancid overnight except for the night before Sabbath. The people always have enough food.

Luke 24: 1 – 12

On the first day of the week the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee and witnessed the crucifixion and watch Jesus being placed in the tomb came to the tomb with spices. They found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Two men in dazzling white appeared. The women were terrified. They said Jesus is alive and risen and reminded them of Jesus’ words about being handed over to sinners and rising on the third day. The women told all this to the disciples. The disciples did not believe them. Peter ran to the tomb and found the linen clothes. He was amazed “and he went away wondering to himself what had happened” (v.12).

Collect for Morning Prayer

Path
Albany WA 2014 L Osburn

Wonderful creator in wisdom you have made everything – all things, the great and the tiny. You produce miracles to feed your people and to save them eternally. We like Peter walk away wondering to ourselves “what happened?” Open our hearts to your abundant love so that we in awe and wonder come to you, bring those we love, and live through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday 15 April 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 104: 26 – 37

This part of the psalm reinforces that all things natural and man made rely on the mercy of God for their existence and sustenance.

Joshua 3

Joshua and the people camp beside the Jordan. When instructed the priests go with the Ark of the Covenant to the river, which stops flowing even though it is in flood. The people cross safely. This is to show the people that God is with them in their return to the Promised Land of their forebears.

1 Peter 3: 17 – 4: 2

If we do what is right and it is God’s will that we suffer for it we are better off than doing something wrong. Christ suffered for our sins, all of us good and bad. He was put to death for us. This is not like the time of Noah when masses died through water and only a few were saved. Our baptism is like an appeal to God for a clear conscience. So, if we are going to suffer for doing the right thing that means we are stepping away from the human desires and stepping towards God.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Duck in the surf
Esperance WA 2014 L Osburn

Merciful God, all things rely on you for existence and sustenance. Be with us through times of hardship, suffering and dismay. Remind us of our baptism and of your saving grace so that we, secure and safe,  can keep on stepping towards you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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