Virtues and Vices: Part 5 - 'Prudence'

This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
Here are some questions to consider:

Readings:

Proverbs chapter 2 verse 11

‘Prudence will watch over you;
    and understanding will guard you.

Proverbs chapter 22 verse 3

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
    The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

Hosea chapter 14 verses 1 - 9

Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God,
    for your sins have brought you down.
Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord.
    Say to him,
“Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us,
    so that we may offer you our praises.
Assyria cannot save us,
    nor can our warhorses.
Never again will we say to the idols we have made,
    ‘You are our gods.’
No, in you alone
    do the orphans find mercy.”
 
The Lord says,
“Then I will heal you of your faithlessness;
    my love will know no bounds,
    for my anger will be gone forever.
I will be to Israel
    like a refreshing dew from heaven.
Israel will blossom like the lily;
    it will send roots deep into the soil
    like the cedars in Lebanon.
Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees,
    as fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon.

My people will again live under my shade.
    They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines.
    They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon.
 
“O Israel, stay away from idols!
    I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you.
I am like a tree that is always green;
    all your fruit comes from me.”
 
Let those who are wise understand these things.
    Let those with discernment listen carefully.
The paths of the Lord are true and right,
    and righteous people live by walking in them.
    But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.


Prayer and Reflection:

Loving God, we pray for wisdom. Grow in us Father a prudent spirit, that we might naturally and easily stay on your paths, the paths of peace, kindness, goodness and righteousness. Lord, we need your help. We confess when we have acted rashly and out of our own desires, tempers or foolish instincts. Guide and correct us, be our guide and stay dear Lord in all our actions, habits and relationships. In Jesus’ name.

Amen


Questions to Consider

1. Can you think of an example when someone in the news has acted in an imprudent way? What happened and how did it make you feel?
2. Can you think of someone famous who is (or was) notorious for their rash lifestyle? What became of them?
3. In your own life, can you think of a time when you acted without prudence? Who was involved, what happened – and what do you think you should have done differently?
4. Think about the ‘triple threat’:
i) Harmful habits (your personal ‘vices’)
ii) Problem people (people who can drag you into your weakness)
Conducive conditions (times of trouble or triumph that leave you open)What/who are these for you? Anything to do differently in your habits?
5. What are you currently doing to nurture your friendship with God?