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:

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One, says:
‘In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength.’

from Isaiah 30.15

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 14.9

Steps 8 and 9 of the 12-step programme – proposed initially by Alcoholics Anonymous – are about making amends to those you’ve harmed. Why? When we hurt other people, we damage ourselves at the same time – but the reverse is also true, so making amends heals wounds on both sides of the hurt. It is also a mark of wisdom and maturity, and helps us understand the consequences of our behaviour.

Do you ever stop to think about the impact you’ve had on other people – good or bad? Do you ever reflect on the ways in which your actions have hurt or damaged or inflicted pain (deliberately or not)? For example, I imagine most of us would find it far easier to make a list of those who’ve harmed us than to name those we have harmed, those who’d put us on their list.

Yesterday we thought about those who encountered Jesus, and instead of falling to their knees in worship, decided to kill him. They were so convinced of their own right-ness, they didn’t see the need to repent, say sorry, make amends. I pray we are wise enough to listen to Scripture, and not end up like that.

Spend a few moments now, and during this day, bringing to mind those you’ve hurt, and saying sorry to God for the damage you’ve caused.

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:

Geoff & Jan Wyatt, Janet Hine, Pat Ackroyd

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.