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 17.7

It’s hard not to read this proverb and immediately think of certain politicians. I’m not sure I’ve ever trusted our political leaders less than I do right now – and it didn’t start at a particularly high level.

Democracy – which as Churchill said is the worst form of government, except for all the other ones – has the unfortunate side-effect of turning leadership into a popularity contest, which doesn’t always result in the best people ending up with the most power.

As a church leader, I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to get involved in party politics: mostly because whoever is in power locally, I have to work (well) with them!

However, I do think the church should be involved in politics, and I think church leaders should be allowed to share (non-party-)political opinions. And here’s mine: policies are important, but what’s more important, is character. I wonder what would happen in politics if across the country people voted, not along party lines, but for the best candidate?

I doubt that will happen – but perhaps that could guide the way we pray for our leaders? How do you pray for our political leaders? Do you pray for them? Perhaps we should be praying that their lips would be full of truth and 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:

Hazel Lawson, Olive Carter, Julia Pinner

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: Overseas Mission Partners

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.