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.

Proverbs 11.13

Are you a trustworthy person? I imagine most of us of would immediately answer ‘yes’ to that – we all like to think we are trustworthy and reliable.

But are you trustworthy in the sense of this proverb?

There are of course things which should not be kept secret, and our Safeguarding policy helps us handle those. This proverb is not about that, this proverb is about entrusting ourselves to other people.

It’s difficult to trust people with ourselves, with our deepest thoughts, fears, hopes, dreams. There is always the risk we will be betrayed, that the person we have trusted shares what they shouldn’t.

We all need someone, or a handful of people, whom we trust deeply – people we know love us no matter what, who have our best interests at heart, who really know us. Why? Partly as a pressure release valve, to be a safe place where we can let out some of the negative emotions that, if we bottle them up, will eventually explode.

But also to help hold us to account. The deepest-rooted sins in our lives usually start in secret – and they thrive in secrecy and darkness. Sharing them, shining light on them, diminishes their power.

This is not easy. But it is vital for our spiritual health, as individuals, and as a church family.

So there are two things to ponder today. Do you have someone that you trust enough to share this with? And, are you trustworthy enough for someone to trust you with themselves? Or do you like to gossip, telling yourself you’re ‘sharing news’…

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
The Bibbey Family (Craig, Jonathan, Shaunnagha)

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.