4 March 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 4 March 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalms 11 and 12

The psalmist disputes the claim one should run from enemies. The psalmist will stand firm. He says that if the foundation collapses, then all are powerless. The psalmist trusts in the Lord – the firm foundation.

The psalmist laments the lack of faithful people. People make promises and are unreliable. The poor and the needy suffer as a result but, the Lord is faithful forever and pure. The Lord guards and protects us.

Jeremiah 34: (1 – 7) 8 – 22

King Zedekiah makes a proclamation that all slaves be freed for the defence of Jerusalem. Then it is rescinded when the Egyptian army approaches. There is also a law that once every 7 years slaves must be freed - but the ancestors did not listen to that law. The prophesy from Jeremiah is that Jerusalem and its people will suffer an even worse fate. All the cities of Judah will burn.

Luke 17: 1 – 19

Jesus acknowledges that his followers will do the wrong thing but it is worse to cause a person new to faith to stumble. Jesus says that when any of them do the wrong thing and repent they must be forgiven. The disciples ask for more faith. Jesus lets them know they have enough.

The next portion is about our lives of service; we will do our tasks without boasting until the work is done.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Rain on the paddocks
Jerilderie  NSW  L Osburn

Loving God, you know that none of us are immune from hardship or error, your disciples, your holy city and faithful believers can all suffer. You remind us that we have sufficient faith and that repentance and thanksgiving are free. Help us be gentle with each other and ourselves, to foster and support repentance, to set up opportunities for thanks and praise, and to do your will calmly and diligently through Jesus Christ our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Friday 4 March 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalms 13 and 14

These psalms are laments for personal deliverance from enemies, from harm and from a cynical age. The psalmist remains faithful proclaiming God’s deliverance of Israel and care for the poor.

Genesis 49: 22 – 50: 6

Jacob continues describing his offspring: Joseph, who was strengthened by God and set apart and Benjamin, “a ravenous wolf in the morning devouring the prey”. Jacob blesses them all appropriate to their character. He asks to be buried in Canaan. When Jacob dies Joseph has him embalmed and returns his father’s body to Canaan.

Hebrews 11: 13 – 28

The writer continues with the list of the faithful who saw God’s future, God’s promise and lived their lives faithfully: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses.

Collect for Evening Prayer

At the end of the day
Streaky Bay SA  L Osburn

Great Father God, you know how humans develop, you know our characters and you love us. Help us to reflect on today, to see your blessings and gifts in today’s events, to come before you in humility and to undertake to do your will so that our lives may be a testament of faith to you through Jesus Christ and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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