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!

If you would like to receive these by email, please click here.

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 14.10

I almost skipped over this proverb. On first impressions it is insular, isolating, individualistic. But as so often, a little bit of prayer and reflection over the words of Scripture brings much fruit.

First, something it does not mean. This proverb is not an excuse for keeping our feelings to ourselves. Paul (e.g. 2 Corinthians 2.3, Galatians 6.2, Philippians 4.14) talks about the importance of sharing each other’s joys and burdens; in fact, I would argue that appropriate vulnerability and honesty is critical for a family – church or otherwise – to be healthy.

Second, the truth is, no-one ‘knows how you feel’. I can’t stand it when people say that! I know they mean well, but actually it’s not true. No-one has ever lived through the same joys and challenges as me – or you – so no-one can possibly know the depths of my heart’s sorrows and joys – or yours. No-one, that is, except God. This verse reinforces for us the importance of being honest with God: because he and he alone actually does know our hearts, and he loves us still. The psalms teach us this is a key part of prayer and worship: pouring out the truth of our hearts. It’s ok, God is big enough to take even your rage!

Third, this verse should stop us comparing ourselves to others, in a positive or negative way. We look at others who appear to have it so easy, and are jealous because we know our own struggles. We look at others who are depressed, and despise them for being weak.

Friends, let us be wise about the human heart. Let us be kind and sensitive to others, let us be honest with God (and others, where appropriate) about ourselves, and let us entrust our hearts to the one who alone knows its depths, for he created it.

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:

Robert Birbeck, Helen Thompson, Ann Birbeck

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.