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

If you would like to receive these by email, please click here.

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.

The righteous will never be uprooted,
but the wicked will not remain in the land.

Proverbs 10.30 (NIV)

This Proverb must have been a real challenge when the people of Israel were exiled in the 6th century BC – literally taken out of the land because of their wickedness.

It is similar to the ‘Noah’ theme we saw yesterday – only this time the picture isn’t the Ark, it’s a tree.

I love trees, almost as much as I love mountains. I love how slowly they grow, how tall, how strong they are. Trees are not brittle, they move and sway with the wind, which is both beautiful and practical – it helps them withstand (most) storms.

But most of all I love trees because of the roots. It’s easy to forget about tree roots, unless they become a trip hazard, or start destroying your house. Yet without the roots, all the swaying in the world wouldn’t be enough to withstand a storm. Without the roots, the first puff of wind would simply blow the tree clean over.

What are the roots of your faith like? Do you put effort into deepening them (I presume so, or you wouldn’t be reading and praying this)? What can you do to help your roots grow stronger? The thing about roots is, they never stop growing.

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
Vacancy (Baddesley Ensor & Grendon)

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.