30 April 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 30 April 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalms 148 and 149

These two psalms call on every part of creation to praise and glorify God.  Parts call for dance and celebration of victories over enemy nations.

Exodus 28: 1 – 6 and 29: 1 – 9

The first section is the description of God’s instructions to Moses about the garments the high priest will wear.

The second section is the instructions for ordaining Aaron’s sons. This instruction includes that they should wear a cap.

John 11: 45 – 54

There are people who witness Jesus bringing Lazarus back from the dead. They report to the Pharisees who become scared because the people are likely to believe Jesus is the Messiah and then the Romans will probably destroy everyone and the temple. The high priest Caiaphas says it was better for one man to die for the people than the nation to die – there is an aside here that he had already prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation and gather into one the dispersed children of God.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Venezuelan Cross
New Norcia Benedictine Community
WA 2014 L Osburn

Oh God of wonder, love and majesty. You gave us Jesus to be our great high priest and to die for us. Help us come to a realisation of that great gift, that anointing through his blood, so that we might live our days as your faithful and holy people united through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thursday 30 April 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 144 and 150

The first psalm is of a king who has prepared for war, he calls on God to be the strong deliverer. He expresses humility not just for himself but all people, asks for God to be with them in routing the enemy. The psalmist will sing praises, the youth and the land will flourish, there will be peace and all happiness will be restored once the battle is won.

The last psalm is of joyful and exuberant praise – instruments, dancing. “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord” (v6).

Joshua 23

Joshua is now old and knows his time is about to end. He calls the tribes, reiterates that their success was only with and through the Lord. They are to keep the Law of Moses and not be enticed to worship other gods or idols. He warns that only faithfulness will secure peace and prosperity. They can lose everything quickly if they transgress the covenant.

1 Corinthians 6: 1 – 11

Paul exhorts the Corinthians to use their Christian principles to settle disputes. It is better he says to be wronged or robbed. Those who defraud or rob will not attain the kingdom of God. He reminds people that they too were not perfect but have been washed, sanctified and justified in the name of Jesus and in God’s Spirit. 

Collect for Evening Prayer

The way ahead may not always be clear
Drysdale Road Walbundrie NSW 2015 L Osburn

Holy Lord of balance, you work with and through us. Help us to get prepared for battles, challenges and changes to come in our communities and in our selves. Guide us to be disciplined in those things that will make us strong: reading, prayer, obedience and worship so that we cannot help but break into singing, dancing and joy praising you all our days through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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