7 March 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 7 March 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 19

This is one of the great hymns to God. The whole of creation shows the glory of God. God’s laws bring wisdom and vision. Instruction and correction are given. The psalmist asks to be kept away from accidental or deliberate breaking of God’s commands and ends with “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Jeremiah 36: 1 – 19

On God’s instruction, Jeremiah dictates all the prophesies against Judah to Baruch, his secretary who writes them on a single scroll and reads them in the hearing of everyone at the temple. The aim is to give the people another opportunity to repent. He is then asked to read it again to officials at the king’s house in the secretary’s chamber. They ask for the scroll and tell him to go back to Jeremiah and for both of them to hide.

Luke 18: 1 – 14

Jesus explains why we need to pray and keep on praying by using a parable about a judge and a persistent widow.  She persists: he gives in. Our God is more generous and compassionate, God listens. He also tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. One goes to the temple and prays boastfully, the other repents his sins and admits his failings. The humbled one will be exalted.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Where blue sky rolls down and touches red sand,
Where sun turn to gold the grass of the land TIS 118
Near Wethallie NSW  L Osburn

 Great and Merciful God, you answer our prayers and you give us an infinite number of ways to appreciate your glory, your gifts to us and to come to you with humbled hearts and minds. Be with us today as we serve you in all our tasks and interactions so that we too can be part of the demonstration of your grace through Jesus Christ our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Monday 7 March 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalms 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.

Exodus 1

Four centuries elapse and the Israelites have multiplied in Egypt and there were more Israelites than indigenous Egyptians. The new Pharaoh had no appreciation of the God of the Hebrews. He increased the burden on the people, ordered midwives to kill any newborn sons of the Hebrews – they disobeyed. And then ordered that all Hebrew male children be killed by throwing them into the Nile.

Hebrews 12: 1 – 11

Since we have had all the examples of faithful people from the time of Abel, they are like a crowd cheering us on to persevere in our own race. We look to the finish line: to Jesus and to the joy that comes from his presence. When things get tough we should consider how tough they were for Christ. If God disciplines us treat it as training, as preparation for the parts of the race still to come. Discipline always is uncomfortable but the joy of achievement outweighs that discomfort.

Collect for Evening Prayer

The great pruning
Harrietville Vic 2016

Merciful God, you have given us so many examples of people who struggled and were part of your great story of redemption and restoration. Thank you for the challenges of today. Help us to take what we have experienced and learn to respond in ways that please you and treat today as a training session so that we demonstrate our faith and bring ourselves closer to you through Jesus Christ and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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