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 11.27

I really detest the modern language of ‘goals’ and ‘achievement’ – because I think it largely misses the real point of life, which is less about what we do and far more about who we are.

There is a grain of truth in it though – as there often is! – which I think this proverb helps us tease out. I think I’d put the first half of the NIV with the second half of the GNB, like this:

Whoever seeks good finds favour
but if you are looking for trouble, that is what you will get

Are you seeking good, or looking for trouble? Do you like to stir up a bit of juicy gossip, or do you try to help others see the good? Do you enjoy the good in what people have done, or do you delight in pointing out their (tiny) mistakes, noticing what they haven’t done?

This is not about achievement or goals, it is about an attitude of heart that deliberately faces and looks for the good in things and people – seeing things deeply, as God does. That isn’t easy, and we need God’s help – why not ask him for that help, right now?

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
Young Family (Blithe, Mo, Quincy, Richard)

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.