Our church building may be closed, but God’s eyes are open and his ears are attentive to our prayers (2 Chronicles 7.15).

If you would like to receive these by email, please click here.

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 16.31

I think it’s sad that so many people colour their hair to avoid the appearance of grey. Don’t get me wrong – I fully understand why; I may be the ‘right’ side of 40, but the accelerating number of grey hairs is getting a little concerning!

But we live in a culture that celebrates youth and vigour and energy far more than age and experience and wisdom – and the way is led by celebrities who butcher their faces in an attempt to look young again, but only succeed in ending up not looking like themselves.

There is a beauty in a face that wrinkles into a smile, in grey hair that speaks of a life of love and service, in a mind that may be forgetful, but is wise.

I wonder if, instead of ‘dress for the job you want’ (if you’ve heard that expression) we should try ‘live like the old person you want to be’. I don’t want to be a crotchety, grumpy, miserable gossip that people can’t wait to get away from! (Too late, I hear you cry…)

I think of old men and women of faith that I look up to, and I think, ‘I want to be like that.’ Well, friends, it’s never too late to start, and turn that greying hair into a crown. The method? Spending time with Jesus. When we see the beauty in old Christians, we see the beauty of Jesus shining through them.

What can you do or change now in your life, to ‘live like the old person you want to be’?

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:

Jean Austin, Joshi Family (Alan, Jess, Paul)

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: Local Secondary Schools & Colleges

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.