19 April 2016
Collects
Prayers developed from the daily readings
Tuesday 19 April 2016
Morning Prayer
Psalms 110 and 111
The first psalm is about
the new king who on coronation has priest privileges. The second praises God
for great deeds, honour, majesty, enduring righteousness and mercy.
Numbers
6: 1 – 8 and 6: 22 – 7: 5
These
are the instructions for the group of Israelites who make special vows, called
the Nazarites. Nazarites must not cut their hair and not consume anything from
a grape vine (not even seeds). They are to stay away from the dead, and not go
to cemeteries.
Aaron’s
benediction is in the second section “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord
make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: the Lord lift up his
countenance upon you, and give you peace” (vs.24 – 26).
On
the day that Moses finishes setting up the tent of the tabernacle the leaders
of the twelve tribes bring gifts for the use of the temple and for the Levites.
John
11: 17 – 37
Jesus
arrives at Bethany. Martha runs out to meet him and says if Jesus had been
there Lazarus would not have died and that she believed that God would still do
what Jesus asks. Jesus says that Lazarus will rise again. Martha states her
belief that in the resurrection in the end times, Lazarus will rise again.
Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and anyone who believes in me shall never
die” (v.25). Martha confirms her belief and says to Jesus that he is the
Messiah. Martha goes to get Mary, who goes quickly to Jesus and kneels at his
feet; she is weeping and those around her are too. Jesus weeps.
Collect for Morning Prayer
Resilient grasses Mandurah Estuary WA L Osburn |
Compassionate
and loving God, you always bless us and keep us safe. You feel our grief and pain.
Bless us and keep us today. Shine your face on us. Give us your grace and peace
so that we, secure in your love, may joyfully do your will and bring glory to
you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Tuesday 19 April 2016
Evening Prayer
Psalms 112 and 113
The first psalm proclaims
that the righteous and faithful will receive good things and good reputations.
The second psalm praises God especially for helping those who are humble and
poor.
Exodus
25: 1 – 22
These
are the instructions for the building of the tent tabernacle and the Ark of the
Covenant and the furnishings.
1 Corinthians
4: 6 – 21
Paul
reminds the Corinthians that anything they have, they have by grace and
therefore should not boast. They are indeed blessed. The Apostles are seen to
be fools, and rubbish, poorly clothed, held in disrepute and beaten. And when
this happens the apostles bless people and speak kindly. They support
themselves with work.
The
Corinthians have none of these demands. Paul appeals to them to be gentle with
each other. He sends Timothy to them to support them and hopes that when he
arrives he will see people of humility and power, not people who are proud or
arrogant.
Collect for Evening Prayer
Gull Mandurah Estuary WA L Osburn |
Holy and
loving God we thank you for the gift of this day and all the opportunities we
have had to work and to serve you. We are indeed blessed. Tonight as we reflect
on all the things that went right today, give us grace to be humble and know
that you are the one who has supplied the opportunities and the wherewithal to
achieve. Give us grace and your power too, that we, refreshed tomorrow, can
respond gently and kindly to those who do not see our worth or your worth so
that we are indeed your people of humility and power equipped to do your will through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
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