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:

Let us build with care,
building on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

from 1 Corinthians 3.10-11

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 16.1

The Good News Bible puts this one perfectly, I think. Oh how many are the plans of my heart, the ideas I come up with, the longings I have – yet it’s God who has ‘the last word’.

At times that is hugely frustrating. When God doesn’t have the same idea as me, I rant and rail at him: ‘Why not?!’ I say, ‘It’s a brilliant idea, wouldn’t it be fantastic if it happened??’

I suppose in my calmer moments I picture God smiling patiently, appreciating my enthusiasm – he put it there, after all – and encouraging me to listen so I might know what he wants.

And actually, isn’t it better for God to have ‘the last word’? Wouldn’t it be terrible if I did (or anyone else, for that matter)?

Having ideas and plans is not wrong. God made us to be creative, to think about the future, to be prepared, to look after all he’s given us. But even the wisest, most creative and wonderful plans any of us could come up with are nothing compared to what God has in store for us.

I think that’s something worth giving thanks for?

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:

Wayne, Claire & Jude Pinner-Rosenbach

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: Church Musicians

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.