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.

Like a maniac shooting
    flaming arrows of death
is one who deceives their neighbour
    and says, ‘I was only joking!’

Proverbs 26.18-19 (NIV)

Sometimes I think we forget that not lying is quite important in the Bible – it makes it into the Ten Commandments, on a par with not committing adultery and not murdering people. Dishonesty is crippling for relationships and communities – it breeds mistrust and bitterness.

What we do and say – it matters. In a time when houses were made largely of wood, the vivid picture of a maniac firing burning arrows around makes even more sense. The damage is extensive and indiscriminate – exactly like the damage caused by lies and dishonesty.

If you have been hurt and damaged by other people’s dishonesty – spend some time talking to God about it, and ask him to help you forgive. (For things that hurt deeply, this may be something you have to try time and again, and over time he will answer this prayer.)

If you have hurt and damaged other people by your own dishonesty – well then your prayer needs to be one of confession and repentance. Know that God forgives us when we are honest with him about our sin. If we pretend we don’t need forgiveness, we won’t ask for it, and if we don’t ask for it, we won’t receive it.

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
Jean Austin, and the Joshi Family (Alan, Jess, Paul)

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.