18 May 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 18 May 2015 

Morning Prayer   

Psalms 41 and 44: 1 - 9

The psalmist is sick. Illness was seen in the past as punishment for sin. Enemies hope the psalmist will die but come and visit being pleasant, then make plots when they leave. Even the psalmist’s best friend has turned his back. The psalmist prays for healing, restoration and vindication. God is blessed.

This portion of the second psalm reminds us of God’s actions in nation building and protecting the people in wars. They do not go into battle trusting in their own abilities but in God. And yet, now they have suffered a defeat.

Deuteronomy 1: 46 – 2: 19

Moses continues recounting how the people turned south again, skirted Mount Seir, walked through the territory given to Esau (Edom) and to Lot (Moab and Ammon) paying for their food and water. In this part of the journey they were to be careful not to engage in battle with anyone.

John 16: 12 – 24

Jesus tells the disciples that the Spirit of truth will come and guide them. The Spirit will glorify Jesus and declare Jesus and God’s understanding. He tells them too that he will go away and not be seen, then be seen again. The disciples are puzzled so he explains. When Jesus goes the disciples will weep and the world will rejoice. But when he returns their joy will overcome the grief (just like when a baby arrives the mother forgets the pain of delivery). If the disciples ask anything of God in Jesus’ name it will be given. “Ask and you shall receive so your joy may be complete” (v.24).

Collect for Morning Prayer

The Gladstone
Gladstone Qld 2015 L Osburn

Blessed be you God our creator, redeemer and friend. You hear us and you answer our prayers. Be with us today in all we do. Console us in the times we seem to be going backwards or stuck. Enlighten us when we are confused and feel surrounded by hostility. Heal us, sustain us and restore us through your loving grace so that we may live and work in peace to your glory through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Monday 18 May April 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 44: 10 – 27

In this psalm there has been a great defeat. The people are scattered, enslaved, had everything taken and destroyed. They are humiliated, derided, taunted, reviled and disgraced. But they do not forget God’s promise or turn their hearts away. If they had, would not God discover it? God knows our heart’s secrets. The psalmist ends with a call to God to rise, to come to our aid and redeem us through steadfast love.

Judges 10: 10 – 11: 11

In the Transjordan the people are oppressed under the Ammonites in Gilead. The people repent and pray to God. The response is initially – pray to the other gods since you believe in them. The people destroy all their idols and worship only God who has compassion.

The Ammonites come to do battle with the people in Gilead. There is no commander for the Gilead army they want someone to be head over all the Gileadites.  However, Jephthah son of Gilead and a prostitute has been disinherited and has formed an outlaw raiding gang in the land of Tob. The elders of Gilead seek him out to be the commander. He challenges them and agrees to do so on his own terms.

1 Corinthians 11: 17 – 34

Paul corrects the Corinthians on how they are conducting the meetings they have together when they share a meal. Some people arrive early and eat and drink a lot leaving little for others. Some only eat their own food and do not share. He asks them to think about the purpose and meaning of their actions. He asks them to avoid divisions and factions.

He recalls the Last Supper where Christ broke the bread and shared it – his body. Christ shared the cup – the new covenant in his blood. When we eat and drink together it is in remembrance of Christ and his death for us.

Paul asks them to examine themselves and be aware of the whole body of Christ – the rest of the members of the church. We are to reflect on what we are doing and discipline ourselves. When we come together, we wait for the others before starting. If we are too hungry to wait we can have something to eat at home before we come so that when we are together we can share.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Communion
St Saviour's Anglican Church
Gladstone Qld 2015 L Osburn

Holy Lord, you want us to live in unity, peace and freedom from oppression. You challenge us to rethink when things go gone awry, when enemies approach and when there are factions in our groups. You teach us to come to you, to look to the dispossessed and discarded – the outcasts and outlaws and to review our purpose. Help us to identify the whole body of Christ, to remember his body and blood were given for us all so that we may properly share with others in your bounty, your sustenance and your grace through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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