Sing to the Lord, and praise him! Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us (Psalm 96.2, GNB).
If you would like to receive these by email, please click here.
Opening
Speak these words out loud:
Jesus said, ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.’
Acts 1.8 (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.
Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble. (NIV)
Don’t be envious of evil people, and don’t try to make friends with them. Causing trouble is all they ever think about; every time they open their mouth someone is going to be hurt. (GNB)
Proverbs 24.1-2
It’s a while since we’ve seen a Proverb that warns us about the company we keep.
A few months ago I shared a story about one the other boys at primary school I most liked to impress – I called him ‘C’. He was good at football, popular, and everyone wanted to be his friend. Unfortunately, as is the way with small boys, I was willing to be pretty unpleasant if I thought it would impress him.
I wouldn’t describe him as ‘wicked’ but he was certainly a bad influence. I can think of other people down the years who when I’m with them, I turn into someone I don’t like. Can you think of anyone who has that effect on you? It’s like they pull all the bad stuff out of my heart and put it on display.
The perverse thing was, I knew I was being unpleasant when ‘C’ came round, but I still wanted to spend time with him. Again, do you recognise that in yourself? When you know something or someone brings the worst out of you, yet you still desire it / them? I’m pretty sure it’s not just me!
The truth is, what’s best for us, is to spend more time with the people who bring out the best in us. Who are they in your life?
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:
Mary Wilson, Cynthia Taylor, Doug & Irene Dean
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: Pre-Schools in Amington
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.