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.

A person’s own folly leads to their ruin,
yet their heart rages against the Lord.

Proverbs 19.3 (NIV)

How much quicker we are to blame others – and God – than to see fault in ourselves. Jesus knew how much easier it is to spot a speck in someone else’s eye, than to see the plank in our own.

Whether or not your ‘folly’ (deliberate or mistakes) has led to your ‘ruin’, it will have caused harm, to others and to yourself.

Are you ready to acknowledge that? Are you ready to recognise the part you’ve played, rather than simply rage – against God, against others? Are you ready to admit that the burning injustice you feel isn’t quite as justified as you’d like it to be?

Spend a few moments in quiet, recalling and reflecting on the situation or situations that the Holy Spirit brings to mind. Try to reflect in an attitude of sorrow – that is, saying sorry to God. This is what we call ‘confession’.

And then, remind yourself that God promises forgiveness to all who repent of all sin – thank God!

Prayers

Our daily prayer sheet includes the names of everyone for whom we have a signed church family directory form.

Today we are praying for
Mary Wilson, Cynthia Taylor, and Dot Betts

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.