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.
Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. (NIV)
A city becomes great when the righteous give it their blessing; but a city is brought to ruin by the words of the wicked. (GNB)
Proverbs 11.11
One of my (many) pre-lockdown plans was to use something called ‘The Blessings Course’ with the prayer team.
It comes from two books – The Grace Outpouring and The Way of Blessing – and a place in Wales called Ffald-y-Brenin.
One of the key points is that, instead of asking God to bless, we speak blessing over and into the lives of our friends, families, neighbours, and communities.
Notice this proverb doesn’t say ‘A city becomes great when the righteous ask God to give it their blessing’… There is of course nothing wrong with asking God for things in prayer! But sometimes those prayers are actually prayers of laziness: passing the buck back to God: ‘you do it… and don’t disturb me while you’re at it.’
Of course I’m exaggerating to make a point – but is there a part of that which is true when you pray?
In our church family we pray that we might be a blessing – to Amington (and of course beyond). This was God’s call to Abraham and it echoes through the ages, down to us, today – so how can you bless someone today, and not simply ask God to do it for you?
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
Doug & Irene Dean, Patricia Wood
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.