Australian Daily Prayer

3rd Tuesday of Lent

1
We will proclaim the name of the Lord.
Ascribe greatness to our God.
Deuteronomy 32:3
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
2 The Opening Canticle, A Song of God's Mercy
God who is rich in mercy:
out of the great love with which he loved us,
Even when we were dead through our trespasses:
made us alive together with Christ,
And raised us up with him:
and made us sit with him
in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

That he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace:
in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-7
3 The Opening Prayer
The night has passed and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence may be kept
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each
1  O Lord, rebuke me not in your wrath; 
   neither chasten me in your fierce anger.
2  Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am weak; 
   Lord, heal me, for my bones are racked.
3  My soul also shakes with terror; 
   how long, O Lord, how long?
4  Turn again, O Lord, and deliver my soul; 
   save me for your loving mercy’s sake.
5  For in death no one remembers you; 
   and who can give you thanks in the grave?
6  I am weary with my groaning; 
   every night I drench my pillow
      and flood my bed with my tears.
7  My eyes are wasted with grief 
   and worn away because of all my enemies.
8  Depart from me, all you that do evil, 
   for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.
9  The Lord has heard my supplication; 
   the Lord will receive my prayer.
10  All my enemies shall be put to shame and confusion; 
   they shall suddenly turn back in their shame.
1  I will give thanks to you, Lord, with my whole heart; 
   I will tell of all your marvellous works.
2  I will be glad and rejoice in you; 
   I will make music to your name, O Most High.
3  When my enemies are driven back, 
   they stumble and perish at your presence.
4  For you have maintained my right and my cause; 
   you sat on your throne giving righteous judgement.
5  You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; 
   you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
6  The enemy was utterly laid waste. 
   You uprooted their cities;
      their very memory has perished.
7  But the Lord shall endure for ever; 
   he has made fast his throne for judgement.
8  For he shall rule the world with righteousness 
   and govern the peoples with equity.
9  Then will the Lord be a refuge for the oppressed, 
   a refuge in the time of trouble.
10  And those who know your name will put their trust in you, 
   for you, Lord, have never failed those who seek you.
11  Sing praises to the Lord who dwells in Zion; 
   declare among the peoples the things he has done.
12  The avenger of blood has remembered them; 
   he did not forget the cry of the oppressed.
13  Have mercy upon me, O Lord; 
   consider the trouble I suffer from those who hate me,
      you that lift me up from the gates of death;
14  That I may tell all your praises in the gates of the city of Zion 
   and rejoice in your salvation.
15  The nations shall sink into the pit of their making 
   and in the snare which they set will their own foot be taken.
16  The Lord makes himself known by his acts of justice; 
   the wicked are snared in the works of their own hands.
17  They shall return to the land of darkness, 
   all the nations that forget God.
18  For the needy shall not always be forgotten 
   and the hope of the poor shall not perish for ever.
19  Arise, O Lord, and let not mortals have the upper hand; 
   let the nations be judged before your face.
20  Put them in fear, O Lord, 
   that the nations may know themselves to be but mortal.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
Lord, our God, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier: we ask you to cleanse us from all hypocrisy, to unite us to our fellow men and women by the bonds of peace and love, and to confirm us in holiness; now and for ever. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed

Jeremiah 11:18–12:6 (Listen)

18   The LORD made it known to me and I knew;
    then you showed me their deeds.
19   But I was like a gentle lamb
    led to the slaughter.
  I did not know it was against me
    they devised schemes, saying,
  “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit,
    let us cut him off from the land of the living,
    that his name be remembered no more.”
20   But, O LORD of hosts, who judges righteously,
    who tests the heart and the mind,
  let me see your vengeance upon them,
    for to you have I committed my cause.

21 Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life, and say, “Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD, or you will die by our hand”—22 therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: “Behold, I will punish them. The young men shall die by the sword, their sons and their daughters shall die by famine, 23 and none of them shall be left. For I will bring disaster upon the men of Anathoth, the year of their punishment.”

Jeremiah’s Complaint

12:1   Righteous are you, O LORD,
    when I complain to you;
    yet I would plead my case before you.
  Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
    Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
  You plant them, and they take root;
    they grow and produce fruit;
  you are near in their mouth
    and far from their heart.
  But you, O LORD, know me;
    you see me, and test my heart toward you.
  Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter,
    and set them apart for the day of slaughter.
  How long will the land mourn
    and the grass of every field wither?
  For the evil of those who dwell in it
    the beasts and the birds are swept away,
    because they said, “He will not see our latter end.”

The Lord Answers Jeremiah

  “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you,
    how will you compete with horses?
  And if in a safe land you are so trusting,
    what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?
  For even your brothers and the house of your father,
    even they have dealt treacherously with you;
    they are in full cry after you;
  do not believe them,
    though they speak friendly words to you.”

(ESV)

John 7:53–8:11 (Listen)

[The earliest manuscripts do not include 7:53–8:11.]1

The Woman Caught in Adultery

53 [[They went each to his own house, 8:1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”]]

Footnotes

[1] 7:53 Some manuscripts do not include 7:53–8:11; others add the passage here or after 7:36 or after 21:25 or after Luke 21:38, with variations in the text

(ESV)

The reading may be followed by a period of silence for reflection, a hymn or
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
7 The Canticle, A Song of the Blessed
Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn:
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right:
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful:
for mercy shall be shown to them.
Blessed are the pure in heart:
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3-10
8 The Apostles' Creed may be said
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
9 The Prayers
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
10 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day
Our Father in heaven
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
11 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
12 The Morning Collect
Lord and heavenly Father,
you have brought us safely to this new day:
keep us by your mighty power, protect us from sin,
guard us from every kind of danger,
and in all we do this day
direct us in the fulfilling of your purpose,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
13
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the Lord bless us and keep us; the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious to us; the Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace. Amen.
Numbers 6:24-26
1
O sing to the Lord a new song:
sing to the Lord all the earth.
Psalm 96:1
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
2 The Opening Canticle, The Song of the Three
Blessed are you, the God of our forebears:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed is your holy and glorious name:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you, glorious in your holy temple:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you who behold the depths:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you in the heights of heaven:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Song of the Three 29-34
3 The Opening Prayer
The day is now passed and the night is at hand.
Let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence may be kept
Father of lights, receive the prayer and praise we offer you as our evening sacrifice; make us a light for all the world, delivered by your goodness from all the works of darkness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each
1  Hear my crying, O God, 
   and listen to my prayer.
2  From the end of the earth I call to you with fainting heart; 
   O set me on the rock that is higher than I.
3  For you are my refuge, 
   a strong tower against the enemy.
4  Let me dwell in your tent for ever 
   and take refuge under the cover of your wings.
5  For you, O God, will hear my vows; 
   you will grant the request of those who fear your name.
6  You will add length of days to the life of the king, 
   that his years may endure throughout all generations.
7  May he sit enthroned before God for ever; 
   may steadfast love and truth watch over him.
8  So will I always sing praise to your name, 
   and day by day fulfil my vows.
1  On God alone my soul in stillness waits; 
   from him comes my salvation.
2  He alone is my rock and my salvation, 
   my stronghold, so that I shall never be shaken.
3  How long will all of you assail me to destroy me, 
   as you would a tottering wall or a leaning fence?
4  They plot only to thrust me down from my place of honour;
      lies are their chief delight; 
   they bless with their mouth, but in their heart they curse.
5  Wait on God alone in stillness, O my soul; 
   for in him is my hope.
6  He alone is my rock and my salvation, 
   my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken.
7  In God is my strength and my glory; 
   God is my strong rock; in him is my refuge.
8  Put your trust in him always, my people; 
   pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge.
9  The peoples are but a breath,
      the whole human race a deceit; 
   on the scales they are altogether lighter than air.
10  Put no trust in oppression; in robbery take no empty pride; 
   though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.
11  God spoke once, and twice have I heard the same, 
   that power belongs to God.
12  Steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord, 
   for you repay everyone according to their deeds.
1  Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; 
   preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2  Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, 
   from the gathering of evildoers.
3  They sharpen their tongue like a sword 
   and aim their bitter words like arrows,
4  That they may shoot at the blameless from hiding places; 
   suddenly they shoot, and are not seen.
5  They hold fast to their evil course; 
   they talk of laying snares, saying, ‘Who will see us?’
6  They search out wickedness and lay a cunning trap, 
   for deep are the inward thoughts of the heart.
7  But God will shoot at them with his swift arrow, 
   and suddenly they shall be wounded.
8  Their own tongues shall make them fall, 
   and all who see them shall wag their heads in scorn.
9  All peoples shall fear and tell what God has done, 
   and they will ponder all his works.
10  The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord
      and put their trust in him, 
   and all that are true of heart shall exult.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
God of grace, we thank you for all your gifts to us; grant us to accept both pain and joy in faith and hope, and never to fail in love to you and to our sisters and brothers; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed

Genesis 47:28–48:22 (Listen)

28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were 147 years.

29 And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, 30 but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.” He answered, “I will do as you have said.” 31 And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed.1

Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh

48:1 After this, Joseph was told, “Behold, your father is ill.” So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. And it was told to Jacob, “Your son Joseph has come to you.” Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed. And Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty2 appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.’ And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. And the children that you fathered after them shall be yours. They shall be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance. As for me, when I came from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance3 to go to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”

When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?” Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” And he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.” 10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. 11 And Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.” 12 Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. 13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. 14 And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn). 15 And he blessed Joseph and said,

  “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
    the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,
16   the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys;
    and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
    and let them grow into a multitude4 in the midst of the earth.”

17 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 And Joseph said to his father, “Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.” 19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude5 of nations.” 20 So he blessed them that day, saying,

  “By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying,
  ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’”

Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. 21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers. 22 Moreover, I have given to you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope6 that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.”

Footnotes

[1] 47:31 Hebrew; Septuagint staff
[2] 48:3 Hebrew El Shaddai
[3] 48:7 Or about two hours’ distance
[4] 48:16 Or let them be like fish for multitude
[5] 48:19 Hebrew fullness
[6] 48:22 Or one portion of the land; Hebrew shekem, which sounds like the town and district called Shechem

(ESV)

Hebrews 5:11–6:12 (Listen)

Warning Against Apostasy

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings,1 the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Footnotes

[1] 6:2 Or baptisms (that is, cleansing rites)

(ESV)

The reading may be followed by a period of silence for reflection, a hymn or
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
7 The Canticle, The Song of Simeon (Nunc dimittis)
Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation:
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
A light to reveal you to the nations:
and the glory of your people Israel.
8 The Prayers
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
9 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day
Our Father in heaven
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
10 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
11 The Evening Collect
Be present, merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night: that we, who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world, may rest on your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
12
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May Jesus, the Lord of peace, give us peace at all times and in all ways. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 3:16