30 April 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Saturday 30 April 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalms 148 and 149

These two psalms call on every part of creation to praise and glorify God.  Parts call for dance and celebration of victories over enemy nations.

Numbers 16: 41 – 17: 12

The remaining people now rebel against Moses and Aaron accusing them of killing the others. Moses and Aaron go to the tent of meeting and the cloud of God descends. The people start to die of a plague. Moses tells Aaron to light an incense censer from fire from the altar to make atonement for the people. Aaron complies and stands between the people and the plague and the plague stops.

God instructs Moses to get twelve staves, one for each tribe and inscribe the names of the families on each staff. For Levi’s tribe it is inscribed with Aaron at the head. The staves are brought into the tent of meeting near the covenant and the one that sprouts is whom God chooses. The staff of Aaron not only sprouts it has leaves, almond blossom and ripe almonds.

The people continue to worry about their plight.

John 13: 21 – 35

Jesus states clearly that one of the disciples will betray him. Peter asks him who and Jesus indicates Judas by giving him dipped bread and instructing him to do what he will do quickly. The others think Judas is going for supplies.

Jesus tells them that the time has come for him and for God to be glorified, that he is only with them a short time now and, that they cannot follow him where he is about to go. He proclaims the new commandment to love one another as Christ loves us.

Collect for Morning Prayer

An ocean, a continent: a coastline
Head of the Bight SA
L Osburn

Almighty and ever living God, you are the source of all creation and the source of all triumph. You alone can turn division, denial and betrayal into everlasting victory. When we are enduring group, relationship and political turmoil be with us. Calm us. Help us to come to you in repentance and sing songs of praise so that we, confident in our knowledge of you and our faith are motivated to act in love and live in your peace through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Saturday 30 April 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalms 144 and 150

The first psalm is of a king who has prepared for war, he calls on God to be the strong deliverer. He expresses humility not just for himself but all people, asks for God to be with them in routing the enemy. The psalmist will sing praises, the youth and the land will flourish, there will be peace and all happiness will be restored once the battle is won.

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.

Exodus 34: 27 – 35: 9

Moses on Mt Sinai receives the commandments and brings them down. His face glows with the glory of God and people are afraid to approach. Moses talks with them then veils his face. He unveils to talk with God, and to deliver the messages to the people and then veils again. He instructs that specific offerings be brought for the ornamentation of the priest’s outfit and the tabernacle.

1 Corinthians 9: 15 – 27

Paul is not claiming the rights he has for support from the community. He proclaims the gospel by free will and because of a commission from God, so his is serving not boasting. He makes sure that he relates to all people, Jews, Romans, meek, anyone, so that the message can be received. He compares being a Christian to being an athlete –we need to train, be disciplined and run the race as if to win. Athletes do this for a token; we do it for an eternal prize. So Paul doesn’t do aimless things. He does not “box thin air”. He disciplines himself so that he is qualified to be in the race and to win.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Young Kookaburra
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Holy and loving God, you are with us in this world where armies fail, countries suffer and people flee to you for protection. You are the same Lord who gave us the commandments and sent your own Son to redeem us. You are faithful, and constant in your love for us. Be with us now at the end of this day. Comfort us and remind us of all the grace and love you have poured out on us and refresh us this night so that we can do your will, praise you with all out being and might and hasten the day when all people experience your glory and love through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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