Sing to the Lord, and praise him! Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us (Psalm 96.2, GNB).

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Opening

Speak these words out loud:

By his power God raised Jesus from the dead,
and he will raise us also.

1 Corinthians 6.14 (NIV)

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 21.24

This Proverb is not describing a nice person to know! Thinking only of him- or herself, this person looks down on others, doesn’t think about anyone’s needs but their own, and is even aggressive towards others.

Think for a few moments: have you ever been hurt by anyone exhibiting this sort of behaviour? I’d be very surprised if you said, ‘No’ – in fact I’d probably suggest you go away and think a bit harder! People like this are like the proverbial bull in a china shop charging around smashing everything: they don’t care whom they hurt, or how often.

The pain you’re thinking of may be big or small, recent or ancient – but if it still hurts, and you feel able to, spend a few more moments asking God to help you let go of that pain, hand it to him (you may find it helpful to picture yourself actually handing it to God and opening your hand to ‘let go’), and ask for his peace.

That is a long – but hopefully more practical – way of saying ‘ask God to help you forgive’. I find opening my hand as I pray a helpful way of making myself let go of the pain, because part of me quite likes it, part of me quite likes the feeling of righteous anger, part of me quite likes being the victim of injustice.

Except, we are never entirely innocent. If you are even more brave, perhaps you could spend some time with God, thinking over the times you have hurt others in this way, through your own selfishness. Ask God for forgiveness, and ask him to fill you with good fruit, the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

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:

Bibbey Family (Craig, Jonathan, Shaunnagha)

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: Home Groups (meeting virtually)

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.