5 May 2015
Collects
Prayers developed
from the daily readings
Tuesday 5
May 2015
Morning
Prayer
Psalms 15 and 16
The first psalm lists the moral characteristics of
people who are permitted in the temple. People who tell the truth, care for
their neighbour and behave ethically.
The second psalm praises and blesses God and delights
in the faithful. The psalmist commits to support people of faith and uses
personal testimony of how God has enriched his life.
Exodus 32: 1 – 14
Moses is up on the mountain and the people believe he
is lost and they are leaderless. They ask Aaron to lead and to make a God for
them to follow. He does so. They built a golden calf and worship it.
God tells Moses to go down immediately and is angry
and would punish them for the breaking of the covenant. Moses intercedes citing
how many people and how long it took to get here and, that all the promises God
made that would now have to be broken. God listens to Moses.
John 12: 34 – 43
Jesus tells people how he will die. They question him
because the Messiah will remain forever. Jesus asks them to stay with the
light, the faith they have. He withdraws. The writer of the gospel draws on
ancient scripture about how people’s eyes and hearts are blinded at times for a
purpose. The writer then states that many people, even people of authority
believed in Jesus but were too afraid to speak out lest they be ejected from
the synagogue. He says, “for they loved human glory more than the glory that
comes from God” (v. 43).
Collect for
Morning Prayer
Through the trees Mulwala BSW 2015 L Osburn |
Holy and loving God we are precious to you and you want us
to be faithful in times when we cannot see the way forward, times of doubt and
times when we cannot understand. You, tell us to stay with the light even if
our hearts are blinded. Give us the courage today to believe and to confess our
faith in our deeds and our words so that we honour the gifts you give more than
human glory through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Tuesday 5
May 2015
Evening
Prayer
Psalm 17: 1 – 13 (14) 15 - 16
The psalmist is a faithful and devout person who has
been beset by wicked enemies. God’s protection and care is requested. God is
asked to overthrow the wickedness. The psalmist wants relationships restored:
him with God, the people with God and with him.
Judges 3: 7 – 21
The people worship other gods and are conquered by
other kings. When they cry out to God, a judge and deliverer is raised up. The
people become faithful again until the judge dies. Othniel wins in battle
against King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram and there was 40 years’ peace. Ehud
assassinates the king of Moab.
1 Corinthians 7: 25 – 35
Paul wants the people to have fewer anxieties and
cares. If unmarried it is easier to focus on God and matters of the spirit. If
married we must care about our spouses and the world. There is more pressure
and our attention is divided.
He counsels preparation for the second coming: for the
people to focus on God not possessions, grief, joy or worldly engagement.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Moon on the lake Lake Mulwala NSW 2015 L Osburn |
Holy God, you know our busy lives and the clamour for our
attention and time. You know the great wickedness that exists in the world and
how our minds can be so riveted to that pain and sorrow. You know the powerful
forces, the demands and responsibilities we have that draw our attention away
from you. Raise up within us your spirit. Help us to focus on you so that your
peace reigns, our relationships with you and each other are restored and our
anxiety ceases through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
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