Our church building may be closed, but God’s eyes are open and his ears are attentive to our prayers (2 Chronicles 7.15).

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Opening

Speak these words out loud:

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.’

Psalm 91.1-2 (NIV)

Today’s Proverb

Read the proverb through three or four times, slowly. Pause in-between, maybe write it out by hand – savour the words, let them speak deeply to you.

The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord
that sheds light on one’s inmost being.

Proverbs 20.27 (NIV)

In Hebrew the word ‘spirit’ also means ‘breath’ – for example in Genesis 2.7 where God, ‘breathed into [Adam’s] nostrils the breath of life’.

Here Solomon is talking about our conscience, our God-given ability to discern our inner thoughts and desires, and choose between them. It is like a lamp, helping us see into the darkest recesses of ourselves.

However, it takes practice to do this. It isn’t easy, and it isn’t always pleasant – we have to train ourselves to do it.

We do that by asking the Holy Spirit to help our human spirit, to make the light brighter, keep the light charged up, replace the bulb – whatever analogy works for you.

And we do that by, well, actually doing it! The more we examine ourselves, the better we will become at it, the better we will become at thanking God for the good, and asking him to help us overcome the bad.

Why not give it a go? Pray for the Holy Spirit, and ask God to help you shine his light. And know that whatever you find – God already knows and he still loves you, so you are safe with him.

Prayers

Our daily prayer sheet includes the names of everyone for whom we have a signed church family directory form – and local parishes and senior church leaders.

Today we are praying for
Bishop Anne (Bishop of Aston)

Father, please bless them with your peace, and a deep awareness of your presence with them, every day and in every way.

Please pray for our leaders and healthcare workers, and all those working to keep us safe, well, and fed. Please pray that people would unselfishly put others before themselves, and buy only what they need.

Church Family Prayer

Come Holy Spirit,
and make us one in heart and action,
so that we can serve God faithfully:
abounding in love,
maturing in holiness,
and seeking out the lost.
Help us grow as disciples of Jesus –
in commitment, in depth, and in number –
that we may be a blessing to Amington;
to the glory and praise of God the Father.
Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.

Closing Prayer

Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
the only way to the Father.

Psalm 127.1, Hebrews 12.2 & John 14.6

May Christ our Saviour give us peace.
Amen.