22 April 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 22 April 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 118: 1 – 18

Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; with steadfast love that endures forever! The remainder of the psalm tells of God’s assistance and reminds us to put our trust not in people or rulers, but God alone.

Numbers 11: 16 – 33

God hears Moses and tells him to gather 70 elders and God will transfer some of the spirit given to Moses to them so that they can carry some of the burden of the care of the people. God promises to send meat – enough that the people will be sick of eating meat. Moses questions God whether there are enough animals and fish for this number of people. God answers with a question, is God’s power limited?

When the spirit is transferred people begin to prophecy. A storm comes up and brings quail that falls about a day’s walk from camp. People collected the quail to eat – then there is a plague.

John 11: 55 – 12: 8

Passover is approaching and the people at the temple are wondering whether Jesus will come, knowing that orders are out to report his location so that he can be arrested. Jesus is still in Bethany with Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Mary takes costly perfume and anoints Jesus’s feet and wipes them with her hair. Judas ththinks it is a waste of something expensive that can be used to feed the poor.

Jesus rejects the criticism and instead says that Mary has bought it for Jesus’s burial and is using it now. Jesus indicates that he will not be with them much longer.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Autumn transitions
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Loving God you are present in all change and transitions in our lives: leadership, change in food, and preparation for death.  Be with us in all our activities today, especially where we confront change or transition so that we can meet the change and adapt ourselves to work for your praise and glory through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Friday 22 April 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalms 118: 19 – 29 and 120

The psalm section brims with sweet praise to God. The rejected one has become the cornerstone. “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it” (vv. 23-24). The one who comes in God’s name is blessed. God’s love endures forever.

The second psalm is a cry of distress from a person in exile far from Israel surrounded by warrior people, “I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war” (v.7).

Exodus 29: 38 – 30: 8 (9 – 10)

In this section are the instructions for sacrifices, the building of the altar, the curtain before the Ark of the Covenant, the use of incense and lamplight.

1 Corinthians 6: 12 – 20

Paul continues saying that while it might be lawful to do certain things, not all the lawful things are good for us and we should not become dominated by them. He uses sexual activity outside wedlock as the example.

The better example is anyone united to the Lord becomes one with the Lord. Take the Lord in and treat your body like a place where God lives. The Holy Spirit is in you. You are the temple. And you are not your own any more. You were bought with the price of Christ’s crucifixion therefore glorify God within you.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Di's Garden
Mandurah WA  L Osburn

Holy God you love us and want to be in close relationship with us. In ancient times preparing your temple took care, precision and time. Your Holy Spirit is in us and works through us. Help us each and every day to make the choices in our lives that strengthen, sustain and preserve your Holy Spirit in us so that we are fully able to do your will and bring glory to you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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