18 April 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 18 April 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 107: 1 – 22

Whether we are lost in a dry place, imprisoned or sick we are encouraged to “cry to the Lord whose steadfast love endures forever”.

Numbers 3: 5 – 13 and 40 – 51

Aaron and his family are the high priests. God instructs Moses to make the Levites (descendants of Levi) members of Aaron’s family and therefore the priests. These people and their livestock are counted. Then all the firstborns, over one month old, from all the other families (including animals) are counted. Since the Levites are in the priesthood the firstborns are no longer expected to be made priests because a Levite is their substitute. If there are more firstborn than Levites then the people have to pay a redemption price (5 shekels per head) based on a shekel held in the sanctuary.

John 11: 1 – 16

Jesus is safely away from Jerusalem when he hears that Lazarus is sick and Mary and Martha want him to come and to heal Lazarus. Jesus delays, knowing that Lazarus’s illness will lead to glorifying God. After two days he decides to go and the disciples try to talk him out of it for his safety. He replies that God decides when he will die. He explains that Lazarus is dead. Thomas says, let’s go and if we die, we die with Jesus.

Collect for Morning Prayer

On the boardwalk
Gladstone Qld  L Osburn

 Almighty God, you sent your son as our great high priest who walked and lived with us. We give you thanks and praise for your grace and mercies. Be with us today and help us to listen and walk with you in trust and with courage through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Monday 18 April 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 107: 23 – 43

We are reminded that faithfulness leads to hope and pride to being brought low. We are to call on the Lord for our great provision.

Exodus 24

Moses and Aaron and 70 elders approach the mountain. Moses directs a sacrifice and reads the covenant between God and the Israelites and seals it ceremonially. Then he and the small group go up. Moses with Joshua goes further up to receive the tablets of stone. The elders return to the people.

1 Corinthians 3: 18 – 4: 5

Paul warns against thinking we are wise and being proud of our abilities because what is wise to humans is foolish with God and can cause divisions in the community. God does not belong to any leader but everything belongs to God. Instead Paul suggests we think of ourselves as servants and stewards of God’s mysteries, so we need to be trustworthy. Who judges whether we are? Only God. We are often not aware of our own deep motivations and certainly we cannot assess that in others.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Soaring egret
Mandurah WA  L Osburn

Holy God, there is great mystery in your commitment and covenant with us. It is a mystery that Jesus died for us. Be with us now as we recommit our spirit and our lives and our service this day and in the days to come to you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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