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 16.7

Yesterday we saw how God is with us always – even through dark times. Today we get a glimpse what I think is an even greater power: bringing light out of darkness, life out of death, and friends out of enemies.

I’m not sure I have many ‘enemies’ (at least I hope I don’t!). The best example of this that I can think of is the South African Truth & Reconciliation Commission. After apartheid ended, victims and perpetrators were brought together to be honest about the crimes and suffering of that regime. One of the key people was Archbishop Desmond Tutu – and the programme is widely hailed as a success, which helped South Africa make the transition to the ‘rainbow nation’ and democracy we see today: not without its troubles, but it could have been so much worse.

I believe God was at work in that – and it’s tempting to look at something that massive and think, ‘Whatever, Ben, that’s a country-wide thing: what about me?’

But remember, although the commission was a national initiative, the bit that mattered was the ordinary, everyday people, experiencing the power of God to bring healing – and even sometimes friendship – between enemies.

Who are the people you regard as ‘enemies’? How might God begin to change the way you behave, so that he might bring peace – and maybe even friendship – to that relationship?

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:

Taylor Family (Alex, Chris, Holly, John, Ruby)

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: Place of Welcome

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.