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

Welcome back to the daily proverb!

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Opening

Speak these words out loud:

The Spirit of God has made us;
the breath of the Almighty gives us life.

from Job 33.4

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 13.25

If only the world were like this. Remember – we’ve seen these before – this proverb is about the way the world should be, and one day will be, when God’s justice spreads across the world, as the waters cover the sea.

There is a spiritual truth to this proverb as well, however. Remember what Jesus said to the devil when he was tempted?

The tempter came to [Jesus] and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’

Matthew 4.3-4 (NIV)

Friends, we were made for more than food. I know sometimes it’s hard to believe (especially when I crave junk food at midnight… which happens more often than I care to admit!) but it’s true. God’s Word feeds us in ways that chips and burgers and pizzas simply cannot touch.

God’s Word feeds the deep longing and emptiness inside, because they are full of truth and life. If ‘the wicked’ are those who ignore God’s Word (and they do), they are always ‘hungry’ in the sense that their longing and emptiness is and can never be filled by worldly pleasures.

This suggests two things to me. First, are we feasting on God’s Word (there is more than enough to eat ‘to our heart’s content’), or are we taking little nibbles? Second, are we sharing that feast with others?

If not – why not?

Prayers

Pray for Five – pray for your five friends / family from Thy Kingdom Come.

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:

Bishop David

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.