“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” Ecclesiastes 10:1
Lord God Almighty,
You made the Blue Whale and You made those irritating tiny little flies that seem to appear out of nowhere! Amazing. You made the dinosaurs but that’s not my question for today! A fly in the ointment! Yuk. So many sayings in our language taken from Ecclesiastes. A book written by someone after a long life and yet still looking to find the meaning of life.
It is often the most minor irritations that spoils things, that upset us. Not a plague of flies (Exodus 8:21). No, a small teeny tiny little fly almost too small to see but which turns something good to useless or worse. A little folly that distorts wisdom and honour. A tiny word not needed. A truth it would be unkind to share. A word spoken before the brain has got into gear. A little selfishness that spoils it for others.
Help us not to put the fly in the ointment, Holy Spirit, and if we do make us quick to clean it up. And make us quick to forgive and forget those little hurts from others. And we give thanks that You clean us up from sin every day, in Jesus.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord God Almighty,
For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations. Churches where the flame needs rekindling.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For Parliament, house of commons and Lords.
For Ukraine. You, God, bring an end to war and an end to violence.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Step into their midst with Your peace.
For those who are planning trouble to be thwarted and challenged by Your Spirit.
For victims of violence and unkindness to allow You to be their judge and find peace.
For those going through tough seasons with finances, family or work situations.
For the success of the roll out of vaccines to protect children from Malaria.
We thank you for answered prayer. Grace to accept Your forgiveness and grace to forgive others. And to forgive and forget those minor irritations.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 13th September 2024
Love this worship
Wonderful grace that gives what I don’t deserve
Pays me what Christ has earned then lets me go free
Wonderful grace that gives me the time to change
Washes away the stain that once covered me
And all that I am I lay at the feet
Of the wonderful Saviour Who loves me
Wonderful love that held in the face of death
Breathed in it’s final breath forgiveness for me
Wonderful love whose power can break every chain
Giving us life again setting us free
And all that I am I lay at the feet
Of the wonderful Saviour Who loves me
Lyrics John Pantry