5 May 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 5 May 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalms 15 and 16

The first psalm lists the moral characteristics of people who are permitted in the temple. People who tell the truth, care for their neighbour and behave ethically.

The second psalm praises and blesses God and delights in the faithful. The psalmist commits to support people of faith and uses personal testimony of how God has enriched his life.

Numbers 22: 1 – 20

The people of Israel camp across the Jordan from the city of Jericho. The Moabite King Balak is terrified of the Israelites. He sends messengers to a diviner, Balaam, at Pethor on the Euphrates to come and curse the Israelites. Balaam consults God and is told not to go and not to curse the people for they are blessed.

Balak sends a group of more prestigious ambassadors to ask Balaam to come. Balaam says that even if he was offered all of Balak’s possessions he will only do as God commands. Balaam again consults God and is told to go but to only do what God tells him to do.

John 15: 12 – 25

Jesus’s commandment to his disciples is that they love one another as Jesus has loves them. Jesus calls the disciples friends for he tells them what he does, he chooses them and appoints them to bear everlasting fruit.

Jesus prepares them to have difficult times ahead – to be hated by the world and persecuted. He prepares them for success through those who keep Jesus’s word and will also respond to the disciples.

Jesus says that if he had not come we would be unaware of our sins. But since he is here, we are aware and have no excuse. If people hate Jesus even though they have seen the works he did, they hate God too. He ends by quoting scripture that prophesied that he would be hated without cause.

Collect for Morning Prayer

The little sail
Di's garden Mandurah WA  L Osburn

Generous and compassionate God you have given to us in Christ, the most blessed king and Lord. We praise you and thank you. All blessings come from you. We thank you too for the gift of your Holy Spirit, our advocate and guide. Keep us today close to your spirit of truth. Remind us of the correct understanding of sin, righteousness and judgement so that we may do your will and demonstrate your glorious rule of justice, compassion and love in all we do through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Thursday 5 May 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm 17: 1 – 13 (14) 15 - 16

The psalmist is a faithful and devout person who has been beset by wicked enemies. God’s protection and care is requested. God is asked to overthrow the wickedness. The psalmist wants relationships restored: him with God, the people with God and with him.

Deuteronomy 29: 1 – 21

In Moab, Moses speaks to the people and reminds them of the gifts and wonders and covenant of God. He reminds them that idol worship is what they have come from and that there may be some people in who still have idols and who still are not fully committed to God and the covenant. He places the responsibility to change and to get rid of idolatry on the people. God knows and they are courting disaster.

1 Corinthians 10: 23 – 11: 1

The meat in the market place sometimes came from animals that had been offered as a sacrifice to a God. If Christians buy meat he says do not inquire where the meat came from lest we offend others. Equally if we are invited for dinner, don’t ask where the meat came from so that we do not offend the host. But if the host tells us this was sacrificed to a God we are bound not to eat it not only so as not feel constrained and conflicted in ourselves but so as not to lose our reputation of believing in one God.

In summary, do everything you do to the glory of God. Don’t offend people no matter their beliefs and don’t act for your own benefit but so that others may be brought to salvation.

Collect for Evening Prayer

The wattle bird over the reflection pool
Di's garden Mandurah WA  L Osburn

Faithful and steadfast God we acknowledge and thank you for all the blessings we have from you. As we reflect on today, help us see where we may have stumbled, focused more on achieving a personal benefit than on you, or sought blessing or advantage through process and mechanism that is not based in your love and grace. Give us the courage to be aware of any offense we have caused today and to bring it to you so that we, examining and bringing our lives to you, become a living sacrifice for your praise and glory and honour through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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