20 April 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 20 April 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalms 114 and 115

God chooses people, establishes a nation – he is with them from the start. God’s sanctuary is with the people. The seas retreat, the Jordan River gives way, mountains and hills shake – the earth recognises God’s hand. God is with them every step; even rock turns into a spring of fresh water.

The second psalm starts praising God for faithful and constant expression of love. The psalmist ridicules the idol-makers who like their idols may have the physical senses (eyes, ears, noses…) but make no use of them. God is contrasted as a sensing and active presence worthy to be trusted. The psalmist blesses the hearer of the psalm.

Numbers 9:  15 – 10: 10

The tabernacle tent is complete and cloud descends over the tent of the covenant. The people only moved camp or shifted if the cloud lifts. Sometimes it lifts after one night. Sometimes it does not lift for a month.

Moses is instructed by God to have two trumpets made. They are blown to gather the people, or the leaders or to sound the alarm and to set out. Different calls on the trumpets for the different purposes are described.

John 11: 38 – 44

Jesus demands that Lazarus’s tomb be opened. Martha tried to dissuade him because of the stench. Jesus replied that the Glory of God is the purpose of his actions. He prays aloud so others know that he expects God will listen (it is God doing what will happen). He calls Lazarus. Lazarus comes out, he instructs everyone to unwrap him.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Desert, sand dune and ocean.
Eucla WA  L Osburn

 Almighty God how awesome and wonderful you are. Be with us today as you were with the people in the desert and with Jesus. Keep in our hearts the knowledge of your love, care and power to redeem even the worst situation so that we may step out in courage to do your will and glorify your name through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Wednesday 20 April 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalms 116 and 117

The first psalm gives thanks to God for healing. Even when he is profoundly depressed the psalmist trusts in God. The second psalm is a global call to praise God.

Exodus 25: 31 – 40 and 27: 20 – 21

The first section is the design details of the lampstand in the holy place in the tent.

There is to be an olive oil light, perpetually lit outside the curtain that is in front of the covenant.

1 Corinthians 5

Paul disciplines the Corinthians about the complacency of members of the church who are breaching both Roman and Jewish Law. He compares what is happening to yeast. It only takes a little yeast to make bread rise. It only takes a little complacency, a little evil, to bring harm to the community. The yeast they have been using, malice and evil puffs them up. We should be using the flat bread of sincerity and truth.

He instructs that there are to be standards of behaviour inside the church. God judges those outside the church but, those inside who are doing the wrong thing need to be corrected or sent out from the church.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Eucalypts glowing at sunset.
Eucla WA  L Osburn

Holy God you have given us scripture and commandments and the life of your Son to guide us and teach us. Help us as we reflect on today to bring our actions, words, thoughts and hopes before you in sincerity and truth so that we can be shaped like a lampstand to shine your light in the world through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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