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:
‘Where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.’
from Matthew 6.21 (Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount)
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.
The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. (NIV)
Those who are sure of themselves do not talk all the time. People who stay calm have real insight. After all, even fools may be thought wise and intelligent if they stay quiet and keep their mouths shut. (GNB)
Proverbs 17.27-28
‘Think before you speak.’
I’m not sure how many times I was told that as a child! It’s hard for everyone, but possibly even harder for those of us who think out loud (or, to use the psychojargon, ‘process things externally’). When I was a curate my training incumbent regularly told me I needed to, ‘learn when to keep my mouth shut.’
I think the two parts of this proverb are connected. Responding quickly to a situation, whether with words or with actions, almost always means responding before we know or understand what’s really going on. And, because it means responding before understanding, there is usually more emotion involved – which raises the temperature of the situation unnecessarily.
While learning to shut up is important, perhaps what is more important is learning to say the right thing – which more often than not is a question. Why? (!) Because it helps us gain understanding. Instead of assuming you understand a situation or another person and responding accordingly (perhaps, to correct ‘their’ misunderstanding), why not ask some questions that will help you really understand what’s going on? Instead of waiting for them to catch a breath so you can dive in with whatever you want to say, why not pause to let them speak, so you can listen and then choose your words more carefully?
Friends, this is not easy. I know that. I didn’t write this proverb, I am reading and responding to it every bit as much as you are! Next time you catch yourself filling in the air with words, think ‘be silent and listen’ – you may well be surprised what you hear!
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:
Widdas Family (Mandy, Mark, Sam, Sophie)
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: Young Families (Ark is suspended)
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.