2 May 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 2 May 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalms 5 and 6

This first psalm asks for God to hear the prayers of the victim of harmful lies. God has no time for wickedness. The psalmist will go to the temple knowing that he too is not yet righteous and needs help to stay on the path. The psalmist takes the problem to God and does not retaliate. Instead he asks for all who take refuge in the Lord to experience joy and protection and exult and bless the Lord.

Debilitating and terrifying illness has struck the psalmist. It is shaking the psalmist’s faith. God is asked to lovingly respond. The psalmist stands against evil and proclaims the Lord’s swift response.

Exodus 30: 11 – 25 and 34 – 38

God tells Moses to take a census of the people and receive half a shekel for each person over 20 as an offering. A washbasin is to be set up before the tent of meeting where people approaching wash their hands and feet. Instructions for the making of fragrant anointing oil and incense are given.

John 12: 9 – 19

A crowd comes to Bethany to see Jesus and Lazarus. The chief priests decide both should die since it was Lazarus’s resurrection that draws many to believe in Jesus. The next Day the crowd hears Jesus is coming to Jerusalem so they gather with palm branches and shout “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord – the King of Israel!” (v.13).

The disciples do not understand this at the time but do later. The Pharisees realise that the people are with Jesus and nothing can be done to change that.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Autumn in the garden
Harrietville Vic 2015

Responsive and present God you know all our skills and abilities and you require us to have times of sacred rest. You know the pressures that pull us away and stop us for having time with you. Keep us faithful to you and your commandments so that we can see your presence and love over and around us always through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saturday 2 May 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 7 and 8

In the first psalm, someone who was an ally has been harmed and the blame is being focused on the psalmist. The psalmist seeks God’s protection, calls on God to search him out and judge. The psalmist is also aware that the snares the wicked set can turn against them. The psalmist is confident in a right relationship with God and is willing to repent. The psalmist promises to praise God when rescued.

God’s majesty is praised. Every human sound is praise to God. And the psalmist marvels at that. How is it that humans have such a special place when we consider the expanse of the heavens? The psalm ends in awe, wonder and praise.

Joshua 24: 16 - 33

Joshua challenges the people again saying they cannot serve God since God is holy and jealous and if they serve other gods the consequences will be catastrophic. The people swear that they will serve God. Joshua holds them to their word and sets up a stone as witness and reminder of their promise. Joshua writes ordinances and after a while dies. All the people are faithful from the time of Joshua and the elders who were alive with him.

Joseph’s bones are buried at Shechem.

1 Corinthians 7: 1 – 11

Paul answers a question from the Corinthians (not present in the text) about marriage. Sexual immortality happens and therefore marriage is advised. The wife and the husband are to respect each other and be considerate about conjugal rights. Paul condones temporary separations and he does not condone divorce. He does condone celibacy for those who have the self-control.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Direction
Harrietville Vic. 2015 L Osburn

Holy Lord you love us and give us grace and mercy. Help us reflect on the times today were we successfully exercised self-control, repented when we failed and recommitted to serve you so that we, confident in your leadership grow in respect and compassion for each other and build a faithful and right relationship with you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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