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 take up the cross and follow Jesus,
whatever the cost.

from Luke 14.27-28

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 16.29

When I was at primary school one the other boys I most liked to impress was – to avoid names, let’s call him ‘C’. He was good at football, popular, and everyone wanted to be his friend. Unfortunately, as is the way with small boys, I was willing to be pretty unpleasant if I thought it would impress him. He came round to play in the garden once, and I’ll never forget the telling off I received for the way I literally spat on the ground in front of my mother, because I thought it would impress ‘C’.

Some people are a bad influence on us. Even as adults, some people bring out the worst in us. Either they push all our buttons and make us rage, or in trying to impress them we behave badly. Sometimes it’s even worse, as they tempt us to do things we really shouldn’t… starting with the way we speak and graduating on to behaviour.

And sometimes – ssssh – we rather like being led astray… and even on odd occasion, we are the ones who are a bad influence.

Friends, the company we keep is so important. People can influence and sway in subtle and hidden ways – so it’s important we keep our eyes and our hearts open to recognise when that is happening. It might sound a little trite, but we become like the people we spend the most time with… I wonder what might happen if we all tried to spend more time with Jesus?

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:

Bibbey Family (Craig, Jonathan, Shaunnagha)

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: Home Groups (meeting virtually)

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.