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:

The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead
is living in us;
he who raised Jesus from the dead will give us life
because of his Spirit who lives in us.

from Romans 8.11

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.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
    but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

Proverbs 10.9 (NIV)

Here is a Proverb that is sort of halfway between what we learned yesterday.

The first half is how things should be: if we walk (live) with ‘integrity’ (i.e. not saying one thing but doing another), there should be nothing that shakes us.

The second half is how things will be: those who walk (live) ‘crooked’ paths ‘will be found out’. You all know the phrase, ‘What goes around comes around’ – well the Christian (and actually true) version of that is that one day our Maker will judge our thoughts and actions.

This Proverb teaches us about consequences: what we do today matters. How we live today matters. The words we say, the thoughts we think – they matter.

King David (rather bravely) said to God, ‘Search me, God, and know my heart… see if there is any offensive way in me’ (Psalm 139.23-24, NIV).

If you are brave enough, maybe that could be your prayer today: ‘Search me God, show me any crooked paths in my life, and help me live with integrity instead.’

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
Ray & Jane Skarratt, Carol Chadwick

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.