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 16.33

How do you make decisions? Do you make list of pros and cons? Do you agonise at night, imagining and predicting all the options and scenarios? Do you take advice? Do you just shrug and pick something at random?

I have often wondered about the practical application of this proverb. One of the most frequent methods of making a decision in the Bible is in precisely this way: casting lots. In King David’s day the high priest had Urim and Thummim – we don’t know exactly what they were but we know they were used to cast lots; maybe like the flip of a coin, ‘heads’ or ‘tails’. Another famous example is when the Disciples chose a replacement for Judas: they had two options, prayed, and cast lots – Matthias was chosen.

I have to say, I have never made a decision this way – at least, not an important one. But should we?

In a sense that question is missing the point – and yet making a decision like this is an extremely practical way of demonstrating one’s trust, in God’s ordering and ultimate control of the universe, and in God himself. For if decisions are made like this, with prayer, trust, and humility…

However you make decisions, the question is, where is God in your decision-making process? Is he a bystander? Is he in the next room? Is he the other side of the world??

Or, is he the one listening to your prayers and requests for wisdom?

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:

Robert Birbeck, Helen Thompson, Ann Birbeck

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: TCHA Tenants & Staff, Starfish

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.