9 May 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 9 May 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalm 22: 1 – 22

This portion of the psalm is a solemn prayer for deliverance from a dreadful illness. It is an illness that has detractors circling the psalmist. The psalmist feels alone and separated from God but is reminded of all the times God was there in the past for the Israelites. The psalmist is humble, asks to be saved not just from the illness but also from any temptation.

Exodus 34: 11 – 24 (25 – 26)

God promises to give the Israelites victory over the people in the land promised. But all the idols and gods and symbols of worship must be destroyed and no covenants shall be made with the inhabitants for them to keep their beliefs. Intermarriage will occur and the Israelites will be encouraged to break the commandment not to worship other gods if the original communities keep their gods and idols.

Then follows rules for festivals and sacrifices.

Moses is unaware that speaking with God makes his face shine so much that others fear coming near him. Moses tells them the messages from God. When he finishes he covers his face with a veil. He takes the veil off to talk with God and to pass God’s message on – otherwise he remains veiled.

John 13: 21 – 35

Jesus states clearly that one of the disciples will betray him. Peter asks him who and Jesus indicates Judas by giving him dipped bread and instructing him to do what he will do quickly. The others think Judas is going for supplies.

Jesus tells them that the time has come for him and for God to be glorified, that he is only with them a short time now and, that they cannot follow him where he is about to go. He proclaims the new commandment to love one another as Christ loves us.

Peter protests, saying he will lay down his life for Jesus. Jesus tells peter that before the cock crows Peter will deny Jesus three times.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Veiled Moses with the tablets
Mission to Seafarers Gladstone Qld
2015 L Osburn

God of glory and wonders, you are present with us and want us to love each other. Help us to be humble and let your glory, your words and your actions be our focus so that we may always pray, think and respond in this world with your love through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saturday 9 May 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 22: 23 – 32 and 23

The second section of the psalm, calls for all people who respect and honour God to give praise, glorify and stand in awe! God has delivered the psalmist from deadly illness and this evidence shows that all God’s promises are secure. The Lord rules in all places and future generations will continue God’s praise.

This is the well-known 23^rd Psalm. The Lord is compared to a shepherd who makes sure the sheep are well pastured, have clean water, are at peace and have nothing to fear. God makes us holy (anoints us) and gives us good things our whole life long even in the valley of the shadow of death and in the presence of enemies.

Judges 6: 1 - 24

The Israelites again are unfaithful to God and the Midianites and Amalekites who come with all their herds and destroy any crops or grazing land constantly invade their lands. They cried to the Lord in their distress.

The angel of the Lord approaches Gideon. Gideon questions the stranger’s greeting that God is with him since the circumstances are so dire. The angel tells Gideon he is to go and fight off the Midianites. Gideon is the least important in his family and his tribe the least powerful. The angel tells Gideon that the Lord will be with him. Gideon asks the angel to stay and prepares a gift: kid, broth and bread. This is placed on a rock for the angel who touches it with his staff. Fire springs up. All the food is consumed and the angel vanishes.

Gideon then realises he has seen the Lord face-to-face. He hears God tell him to be at peace: that he will not die. Gideon builds an altar at that place.

1 Corinthians 9: 15 – 27

Paul is not claiming the rights he has for support from the community. He proclaims the gospel by free will and because of a commission from God, so he is serving not boasting. He makes sure that he relates to all people, Jews, Romans, meek, anyone, so that the message can be received. He compares being a Christian to being an athlete –we need to train, be disciplined and run the race as if to win. Athletes do this for a token; we do it for an eternal prize. So Paul doesn’t do aimless things. He does not “box thin air”. He disciplines himself so that he is qualified to be in the race and to win.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Round window
St Saviour's Anglican Church Gladstone Qld
2015 L Osburn

God of abundance, you provide for us anoint us, bless us and commission us. You have already delivered us from all harm and we can feel secure in your promises, be generous in our hospitality, and disciplined in our lives so that we are available to bring your good news to everyone we meet through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please leave a comment or feedback.