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.
Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. (NIV)
It is better to be humble and stay poor than to be one of the arrogant and get a share of their loot. (GNB)
Proverbs 16.19
Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’ (Matthew 5.3, NIV).
The ‘poor’ or ‘lowly’ in spirit are those who humbly trust in God. In Jesus’ day this faithfulness went with persecution – they clung fast to God, no matter the material or physical consequences. Their reward, their treasure, truly is the kingdom of heaven – for they ain’t getting much down here!
One of the consequences of trusting in God, is trusting in him to set things right, to give people what the deserve – i.e. giving up our right to vengeance. I’m sure most of you know well the desire to ‘get even’. We have a strong sense of injustice; God put it there, but sin twists it inwards onto ourselves so usually the strongest sense of injustice we feel is when we are at the wrong end of it.
Suggesting that we be ‘meek’ and not take revenge or fight back can sound like weakness. Yet, remember Jesus, on ‘trial’ before the High Priest and Pilate: no-one has suffered such injustice, nor suffer it as quietly, or in such weakness, as Jesus.
Who are you to think you deserve to act differently?
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:
Mary Wilson, Cynthia Taylor, Dot Betts
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: Pre-Schools in Amington
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.