Monday 4 May 2015

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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