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 16.5

We’ve seen proverbs like this before – last time it was a little easier to come to terms with because it was clear that it was the actions of the sinner that ‘the Lord hates’ – as opposed to the sinner her/himself.

Proverbs – indeed, verses – like this one need to be read in the context of the free and perfect forgiveness God offers to everyone – even the very worst sinners.

The problem here is that the more proud and arrogant we become, the more convinced we are of our right-ness, and the less teachable we become, the less we listen to the wisdom of others. (Sound familiar?? It should – this is one of the key themes of Proverbs!)

This is the ‘unforgiveable sin’ in Mark 3: the Pharisees were so convinced they were right, they identified Jesus’ teaching and work as coming from the devil, and so – correctly, if they had been right! – rejected him. They did not entertain the possibility they might be wrong – and need to repent, to turn back to God, to say sorry.

And what we don’t say sorry for remains unforgiven – which means we will one day face the consequences and punishment for it.

Friends, let’s stop being arrogant or proud, and instead learn true humility: thinking of ourselves less, and listening to the wisdom of God (and others).

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:

Muriel Smith, Albert Pegg, Simon Garratt

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: Leaders of Church Groups

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.