23 April 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 23 April 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalms 124, 125 and 126

If it had not been for the Lord the enemy forces would have attacked and overwhelmed us like a flood. Blessed be the Lord. Our help is in the name of the Lord.

Those who trust in God shall never be moved. God will surround and support us. The psalmist prays for blessing on the faithful and that evil be kept away from us.

When we are restored we are full of joy and praise and others notice that our God has done great things for us. So we ask to be restored, that those in tears reap joy and those who weep and sow seeds come back with an abundant harvest.

Exodus 22: 20 – 23: 3

“Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than The Lord alone, shall be devoted to destruction” (v.20). Then follows a series of commands to treat aliens well, care for the poor, widows and orphans. Compassion is required. God and the people’s leader should not be cursed. Make an offering from all production quickly. Dedicate your heirs to God. Be just and honest: no false reports, no malicious witness, no joining in with the crowd to do something you know is wrong, no siding with the majority to pervert the course of justice and no partiality in judgements – even for the poor.

John 10: 1 – 18

Jesus compares himself to a shepherd. There is only one shepherd for the sheep. Anyone else is a thief. The sheep know the shepherd they follow and the shepherd goes ahead first.

To get to good pasture, to get to safety the sheep can only go through and with the shepherd – so he is the gateway for the sheep. He is the way.

Jesus isn’t just any hired hand shepherd, he is the Good Shepherd and will lay his life down for his sheep… moreover he lays his life down to bring all sheep into safety including those from different flocks. He ends saying that his laying down of his life is a free choice and he has the power to take it up again.

Collect for Morning Prayer

The gate and path to the church
New Norcia Benedictine Community WA
2014 L Osburn

Holy and Almighty God, your blueprint for human interaction is full of blessings, stability, justice, compassion and for all. Be with us in all we do today. Help us keep our eyes on Jesus so that we may stick to your plan and bring your kingdom closer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thursday 23 April 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 127, 128 and 129

Unless the Lord is with us in what we do our labour is in vain. Rising early, working late and being anxious about things are not part of God’s plan.

Those who walk with God are blessed to have the freedom to eat our own produce, prosperity sufficient for women to be creative and children to flourish. It is a blessing to see our grandchildren.

God has preserved us from all assaults in the past. The psalmist asks that those who are enemies of God not prevail.

Joshua 9: 3 – 21

Some people from Gibeon come to Joshua dressed and provisioned as if they had come from a far country. The leaders of the Israelites do not ask for direction from the Lord. The Gibeonites place themselves at the service of the Israelites and gain through their ruse, a treaty from Joshua guaranteeing peace and their lives. The Gibeonites, reveal they are in truth, close neighbours. The leaders of the Israelites do not break their oath and the Gibeonites work hewing wood and drawing water for the Israelites.

1 Corinthians 2: 1 – 11

Paul explains that when he came to Corinth he was afraid because he is not an eloquent speaker and all he had was the demonstration of the Spirit and power. Paul is not to be revered, God is. Leaders and the wise in broader society do not understand what God’s wisdom is revealing. God’s wisdom is to be discussed as mature Christians. God’s wisdom is known and revealed by the Spirit. In the same way that humans can identify the human spirit – that is the thing that makes humans human – only the Spirit of God is able to know what is truly God. Now we have the Spirit we can interpret things that are spiritual to those who are spiritual.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Old farm equipment
New Norcia Benedictine Community WA
2014 L Osburn

Holy God full of wisdom and light, without you what we do falters. Be with us now as we reflect on this day and see the times when we consulted you before acting, sought your wisdom before deciding and listened to your Spirit before speaking so that we can be encouraged to bring our lives to you, reduce our anxiety and be open to the flourishing of your spirit in us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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