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:
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.
The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength. Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisors. (NIV)
Being wise is better than being strong; yes, knowledge is more important than strength. After all, you must make careful plans before you fight a battle, and the more good advice you get, the more likely you are to win. (GNB)
Proverbs 24.5-6
Most of us are better – much better – at giving advice than receiving it. If only more people could be like us the world would be a much better place… Hmmm…
I am currently listening to an audiobook of A Promised Land, written (and read!) by Barack Obama, the first volume of his presidential memoirs. It’s fascinating hearing about the inner workings of high government at a time of crisis; if you remember, he assumed office in 2009 at the height of the financial crisis, and while the US and UK were embroiled in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He campaigned on a promise to withdraw troops from those conflicts – but the first thing he did on assuming office was to start taking advice. He knew his own instincts, but he also needed to learn about the impact his decisions would now have on service men and women fighting the wars, and their families, and the wider global implications.
I’m pretty sure that most of you reading this are not waging a war, or planning one – at least, not physically:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6.12 (NIV)
Do you try and fight those battles alone, or do you listen to advice and stand together with your Christian brothers and sisters?
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:
Rosemary Baxter, Allan & Anne Baldwin
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: Couples Getting Married
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.