7 May 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 7 May 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalm 19

The sky in silence, every day and every night shows us that God is magnificent. God’s commandments are magnificent. They are right, they delight the heart, they are simple, they are more precious than gold. And the commandments warn us – but can we ever truly detect all our own faults? David asks for help so that he does not commit presumptuous sins*. He finishes with:

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord my rock and my redeemer.”

Exodus 33: 1 – 17

Moses talks directly with God in a tent at a distance called the meeting tent and Joshua is the caretaker.

God instructs Moses to start towards the Promised Land and that he will send an angel to accompany them but not be directly among them. Moses asks that God be with them and be known to be with them – distinct from other people – the people with God.

Jesus is aware that his time is short and that Judas is about to betray Him. He prepares to wash the disciples’ feet. Peter initially refuses to allow his Lord to serve. Jesus says if he does not he has no connection with Him. Peter offers all of himself to be washed. Jesus responds that he is already clean where it counts.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Boardwalk
Gladstone Qld 2015 L Osburn

Magnificent God, your greatness is clear in your creation of the universe and in your commandments. We too are stiff-necked and we break your commandments. Yet you love us. You gave everything thing for us to make us your holy people. Clear our hearts and minds this day we that we may walk with you, serve you and bring glory to you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thursday 7 May 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 119: 1 – 16

This portion of the psalm celebrates those who know and follow the laws of God. The psalmist asks to be taught and to be assisted to follow these laws.

Judges 5: 1 - 18

This is a song telling who was involved in the battle - and those who did not respond to the call - and that the song of victory is being heard and spread in the country.

1 Corinthians 8

Paul’s instructions here need context. Meat sold in general markets often had been pre-sacrificed to idols or other Gods and sometimes people met for social functions at temples where a meal is included. So what should a Christian do?

First there is only one God and one Lord Jesus Christ. But there are people steeped in the idol culture who are not yet strong believers. No matter what we know and understand, what is more important is God knowing us. Our job is to ensure that our behaviour does not confuse others or cause them to stumble. We are to modify our behaviour. Paul says if eating meat will cause someone to believe idols have power, he would stop eating meat.

Collect for Evening Prayer

In our wake
Gladstone Qld 2015 L Osburn

Holy Lord you know us by our actions and how we love you and love others. Help us to see the consequences of our priorities, deeds, behaviours and words on others and to modify what we do so that we support everyone in their growing faith, support our community of faith and respond with enthusiasm to your call to us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

*Presumptious sins are:

1.     When we do know better

2.     When we deliberately plan to do it or keep nurturing the thought about doing it, or have built up a habit of a particular sin

3.     Sinning to show total disregard for God

4.     Thinking that we are immune from a particular type of sin because we are strong or “able to manage it”. This is risky.

And, “I’ll repent tomorrow…” presumes a tomorrow.

From
REV. C. H. Spurgeon 1857

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