Thursday 23 April 2015

24 April 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 24 April 2015
Morning Prayer


Psalms 130, 131 and 133

The first psalm is a lament and recognition of God’s forgiveness and steadfast love. The second describes deep humility: a calmed and quieted soul that waits in trust for the Lord. The third psalm rejoices in family peace and harmony.

Exodus 23: 4 – 17

Some more commandments are listed here. If something that belongs to our enemy is lost or in trouble we should help, and not delay. We must uphold justice for all and not convict the innocent or people who are in the right. We must not oppress resident aliens. We will have a sabbatical year (every 7) and a Sabbath day. Three times a year we will have a festival to God and one will be a harvest festival.

John 10: 19 – 30

Dispute rages in the community – is Christ mad, is he a demon, is he holy? In winter in the temple he is asked directly to say whether he is the Messiah. His answer is, I have told you and you don’t believe: my works give evidence that I am God’s. He explains that they don’t believe because they are not his sheep – they are following someone else. Jesus’ followers will have eternal life and will be safe with God eternally. He says, “The Father and I are one” (v.20).


Collect for Morning Prayer


Decision point
Brockton Highway WA 2014 L Osburn
Holy Lord, you show us that humility, love, compassion and openness are the keys to living with you and being part of your flock. Today, help us to run every decision and every action through that test: are we humble; is this loving; is this compassionate; and am I open, so that we in that moment, make a deliberate choice to be your people through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Friday 24 April 2015
Evening Prayer

Psalms 132 and 134

The first psalm is a reminder to God that David promised to bring the Ark of the Covenant to a permanent dwelling in Jerusalem. God indicates that if David’s offspring keep the commandments then the dynasty will last.

The second psalm is a blessing. Come bless the Lord. Lift up your hands and bless the Lord. May the Lord bless the earth.

Joshua 10: 1 – 11

The Treaty with the Gibeonites becomes known and five Kings unite to attack Gibeon. The Gibeonites call to Joshua for assistance. He comes with full force. The Lord says to Joshua, “Do not fear them”. Joshua attacks suddenly. The battle is his. As the armies flee, a great hailstorm inflicts more casualties than the direct battle.

1 Corinthians 2: 12 – 3: 4

Paul says that those who receive the Holy Spirit understand God’s gift and purpose for their lives. He is talking about a spiritual wisdom not earthly wisdom. Those who do not have the Holy Spirit cannot understand and think the gifts of God are foolish. They are not concerned with accountability to God. Only through Christ can we know the mind of God, no human can do it alone.

While we are harbouring jealousies and quarrelling with one another, we are still people of the flesh – merely human and not ready to learn the lessons of the spirit.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Kookaburra
Nannup WA 2014 L Osburn
Holy and almighty God of the challenge and the battle, you offer us your presence in our hearts and greater might in the fight that matters than even the great ancient warriors. Equip us and help us to obey your commandments, to rid our lives of jealousies and quarrelling, to understand your gifts to us, to grasp the purpose of our lives so that we are able to grow in spiritual wisdom confident we have created a home for you in our hearts through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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