9 April 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 9 April 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalm 116

The psalm gives thanks to God for healing. Even when he is profoundly depressed the psalmist trusts in God and rejoices in salvation rededicating himself to God and offering heart felt praise.

Exodus 13: 1 – 16

God tells Moses that the first-born males are to be offered to him. Lambs can be sacrificed, donkeys kept and a lamb substituted for them. Humans are offered to God, not sacrificed. The story of the exodus from Egypt and festival of the unleavened bread is to be kept in perpetuity.

John 21: 15 – 25

The disciples finish breakfast. Jesus asks Peter three times “Do you love me?” Peter affirms his love three times. Jesus says to him in this order: “Feed my lambs”, “Tend my sheep”, and “Feed my sheep”. He goes on to tell Peter how independent he was when he was younger and how vulnerable he will be later – someone else will tie a belt around him and take him where he does not want to go.

Jesus makes it clear that each person’s faith journey is his or her own. Peter has his mission others will have theirs. The section ends with briefly saying Jesus did many other things that are not recorded here.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Many paths
Albany WA 2014 L Osburn

Holy and compassionate Lord, you bring us back from illness, grief, depression and worthlessness and give us ways to dedicate ourselves to you. All our paths are different in your service and you ask for active lives. Be with us as we rededicate ourselves to your service today so that we may be a living, loving and caring sacrifice to you all the days of our lives through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Thursday 9 April 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 117

This is a global call to praise God. Praise God for his steadfast love and eternal faithfulness. Praise the Lord.

Isaiah 51: 9– 16

Isaiah calls for God to awake and like in the ancient times fight and restore the people. He calls to the people to not be afraid of human oppressors – the oppressed shall be released. God has put words into Isaiah’s mouth. God has hidden the people in the shadow of the same hand that stretched out the heavens. “You are my people”.

1 Peter 2: 4 – 10

As believers God counts us all as precious. Jesus is like a stone once rejected by people but selected by the great builder to be the central block for the building of the church. We are all part of the construction of that spiritual house. We are all members of the holy priesthood proclaiming God’s great acts and mercy.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Stone wall
Albany WA 2014 L Osburn

Holy and awesome God we praise you and thank you this night for all your blessings. You, who brought the world into being, saved and restored people so long ago all we have is myth and legend, who saved your people Israel and now promises to save us, each one as a member of your holy priesthood. Help us sit in this place of awe, this time of praise so that we may fully take up the load we will bear for you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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