29 April 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Friday 29 April 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm 145

This psalm praises extols and blesses God for all the great acts of creation, mercy, salvation, awesome acts, steadfast love, compassion, and might. What God has done proclaims the glory of the kingdom. That kingdom will endure forever.

On a more personal level God is faithful, gracious, upholds people while they are falling, raises up people who are oppressed. God provides as required in time and with justice. God hears, saves and watches us. We will praise the Lord and all living things will bless God forever.

Numbers 16: 20 – 40

God instructs Moses and Aaron to step aside from the group of people who have offered censers of incense – who want to be priests. Both appeal to God not to be angry with everyone. God tells Moses to warn people to step away from the dwelling tents of the men who also challenged his leadership.

The earth opens up and only the dwelling tents of the challengers fall in and are covered. Then fire destroys the 250 men with their incense censers. Only those of the family of Aaron are permitted to offer incense before God.

John 13: 12 – 20

Jesus explains the foot-washing to the disciples. If their Lord washes their feet so too they should serve each other. No one is greater than the master, and here the master serves all. No messenger is greater than the person who sent the message. If we follow this example we will be blessed.

Jesus predicts the betrayal so they know he knows. He also says those who accept the people Jesus sends are accepting Jesus and they are accepting God.

Collect for Morning Prayer

A  country way
Milawa Vic  L Osburn

Great and gracious God you sent your Son to save us, to reveal you and show us the way. Jesus though your son, humbled himself, washed the feet of his disciples and modelled service. Jesus is your great gift of love and compassion to all people. Today give us courage to serve and grace to be humble so that the rewards are yours and the glory goes to you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Friday 29 April 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 147

This psalm rejoices in singing praise to a gracious God. God builds up the community, gathers the outcasts, heals the broken-hearted and binds their wounds. This is the same God who created the stars. Sing to God.

God brings the rain that brings grass and feeds the animals and allows birds to sing. God isn’t interested in who is the fastest or strongest but in our reverence.

Jerusalem is charged to praise the Lord:  for the city, the safety of the children, the peace. This God who controls all the weather looks after us. No other God is like our God.

Exodus 34: 11 – 24 (25 – 26)

God promises to give the Israelites victory over the people in the land He promised. But all the idols and gods and symbols of worship must be destroyed and no covenants shall be made with the inhabitants for them to keep their beliefs. Intermarriage will occur and the Israelites will be encouraged to break the commandment not to worship other gods if the original communities keep their gods and idols.

Then follows rules for festivals and sacrifices.

1 Corinthians 9: 1 – 14

Paul explains that apostles have the right to receive some of the material benefits from the faith communities that are being served and built. He does not and never has claimed these – he always supported his own ministry expenses. He draws on scripture: we are not to muzzle an ox while it is treading out grain. Surely if God cares for animals the same applies to apostles. He goes on to indicate that those serving at the temple are fed from the sacrifices. He asks who pays the military? Those who tend flocks get a portion of the milk.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Firm foundations
Avenues Bridge Avenel Vic
L Osburn

Holy and loving God, your scriptures and stories of your people of faith show us that from time to time we need to be firm and ensure we set up the conditions to obey your commandments and to enable fair treatment of all. This night help us to review the decisions we made today and check that we have not done something that is unfair, oppressive or leads others to be tempted so that we can make new choices that build the strength and resilience of your people for your glory through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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