More than "turning up"

Woody Allen is reported as saying that 80% of life is just about “turning up”. There is much wisdom in this in terms of our church attendance which is a great gift of love that we give to one another. Personally I‘ve found terrific encouragement from those I’ve met with over the years and consistent blessing from God as I’ve “churched” with my brothers and sisters. This should not surprise me since God promises to be with His people every time we gather to honour Him and love each other (eg Ephesians 2:22, 5:18-21, John 31: 34-35, Hebrews 10:24-25).When we add to “turning up” that is  turning up with a real desire to engage with God  (Psalm 95, 100) and with others (In Hebrews 10:24, note “consider how”),  there is blessing all around. The Puritan Prayer of Preparation Before Going to Church (from Valley of Vision, Banner of Truth p 209), when prayed from the heart can transform church for us and others.I commend it to you.Warmest greetings in ChristPeter

 Prayer of Preparation Before Going to Church

O Lord, We commune with  Thee every day, but week days are worldly days, and secular concerns reduce heavenly impressions.

We bless Thee therefore for the day sacred to our souls when we can wait on thee and be refreshed;

We thank Thee for the institutions of religion by use of which we draw near to Thee and Thou to us;

We rejoice in another Lord’s day when we call off our minds from the cares of the world and attend on Thee without distraction;

Let our retirement be devout, our conversation edifying, our reading pious, our hearing profitable, that our souls may be quickened and elevated.We are going to the house of prayer, pour upon us the spirit of grace and supplication;We are going to the house of praise, awaken in us every grateful and cheerful emotion;We are going to the house of instruction, give testimony to the Word preached, and glorify it in the hearts of all who hear;

May it enlighten the ignorant, awaken the careless, reclaim the wandering, establish the weak,comfort the feeble minded, make ready a people for their Lord.

Be a sanctuary to all who cannot come, forget not those who never come, and do Thou bestow upon us benevolence towards our dependents,forgiveness towards our enemies, peaceableness towards our neighbours, openness towards our fellow-Christians.      

     Amen