26 April 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Sunday 26 April 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalm 95

Sing to God songs of praise for all things God has done for us. Be joyful. Make a noise. Do not harden your heart like the Israelites did when they were wandering in the wilderness.

John 8: 1 – 11

Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives. Next morning he goes to the temple. He begins to teach and then the scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery and ask Jesus whether she should be stoned according to Mosaic Law. Jesus draws with his finger in the dirt before answering. They pester him for an answer so he stands. He challenges them to throw a stone if they themselves are sin free. He lowers himself again and draws again in the dirt. One by one, elders first they go away. Jesus stands and asks where did they go and is there no one left to condemn her? She says no. He will not condemn her either and she is to go and sin no more.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Fresh bloom
Armadale WA 2014 L Osburn

 Holy and merciful God, you know us and all our faults and failings, yet you came among us, lived with us, taught us and were crucified for us while we were still sinning. Lift up our hearts to you in joyous thanks and praise so that we thoroughly celebrate this great Easter season of your mercy through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday 26 April 2015

Evening Prayer

Ezekiel 34: 1 – 10 and 25 – 31

Ezekiel prophesies against the shepherds of Israel. The shepherds are not properly caring for the sheep, seeking them out when lost or guiding them but feeding off them and clothing themselves with the wool. Thus the sheep are scattered and not following.

God will then appoint a shepherd and make a new covenant with the sheep. Then there will be enough, there will be no predators and the sheep will be safe. The sheep will know that God is with them.

Psalm 100

Sing praise and thanks to God. We are God’s people, the sheep of his pasture. God made us. The Lord’s love and mercy endures forever. The Lord is good.

Hebrews 13: 7 – 19

The writer encourages the people to focus on Christ as the teacher and guide for their lives. He says not to worry about dietary laws since we are fed by grace. We are to know that Christ was the sacrifice and to not get caught up in rituals but to give thanks and praise, do good to others and share what we have.

The writer asks the people for their prayers.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Sheep safely grazing
Armadale WA 2014 L Osburn

Compassionate and loving God you care for us. Through you we are fed spiritually and learn to care for each other so that all are fed and all are secure. Help us keep our focus on Christ the one true sacrifice so that we use our lives for your service and for the good of all your sheep through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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