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 17.8

In some countries it’s the only way to get anything done; we are blessed to live in a country where bribery is rare. At least, it is less obvious. Political favours are stored up, access to senior politicians is granted, companies are given contracts, planning consent is granted, areas are chosen for investment – not every decision is corrupt, of course not, but the waters are murky.

I suspect (hope!) that most of us are not involved in bribery or corruption. But we are all tempted by shortcuts and easy wins – which after all is what bribery is: something is achieved not by hard work but through a gift.

We might pay for something in cash so we get a discount, because the business doesn’t have to declare it or charge VAT. We might butter someone up because we want something from them, rather than simply because they deserve some love and attention. And of course we might lie – big or small, saying something untrue is lying not ‘mis-speaking’ – to make someone like us more, to cover up a mistake, to garner someone’s sympathy, to get what we want. And so on. How do you take shortcuts?

Friends the problem is this: God is far more interested in how we travel along the way, in the journey rather than the destination. He’s already sorted the destination out, when Jesus died and rose again and ascended to heaven for us! Now it’s time for the long road of obedience and sacrifice – and with them, joy and fulfilment.

Is that a road you want to travel on?

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:

Irene Davies, Alan & Joyce Page, Rita Harris

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 Councillors

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.