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:

As for God, his way is perfect: the Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.

from 2 Samuel 22.31

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 15.15

In baseball there is a thing called a ‘double-play’ where the fielding side get two plays out in the same move. This proverb does that: at once challenging the poor and those who oppress them.

There are two kinds of poverty: absolute and relative. Absolute poverty applies to those who cannot afford basic necessities, like safe drinking water, food and shelter. Relative poverty applies to those who receive 50% less income than most people in their country – it is more about inequality, and much more common in the UK.

This proverb challenges those in either form of poverty: a cheerful heart is free. Life may be a struggle, unjust and unfair – but possessions don’t bring happiness: a life lived with God at the centre brings true joy and contentment.

But this proverb also challenges those who have plenty, and who by their action (or inaction) exploit others to keep themselves rich. When you buy cheap food, cheap clothes, do you stop to consider the real cost? Our (Western) economic power keeps millions in economic slavery worldwide.

What can you do? You can pray for justice and mercy to flood the earth, instead of greed and selfishness – and you can begin to be the answer to that prayer by acting (and purchasing) things with justice and mercy in mind, instead of greed and selfishness.

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:

Price Family (Ash, Elsie, Emilia, Matt)

Father, please bless them with your peace, and a deep awareness of your presence with them, every day and in every way.

We also pray for: Lonely & Bereaved People

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.

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.