Phoenix, Arizona
Opening Prayer
"Grant me O Lord, to see everything now with new eyes. Amen” -Pedro Arrupe Sj (1907-1991) (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. -Psalm 33: 20-22 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin -1 John 1: 6-7 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” -John 12: 48-50 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. -Isaiah 65:24 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Lord our God, we gather in your presence, coming from this world so full of suffering, grief, and misfortune that we could well be afraid. But we do not have to rely on this world. We can come to you, the almighty God. You are our Father, and no matter what may come, we remain your children and receive your blessing. So protect us in this present time. Even if a flood of evil seems about to break over us and our hearts are heavy, you will uphold us. You will strengthen us so that we can bear this time patiently, hoping in you and in what you do for all people. May the praise of your name be in our hearts for ever and ever. Amen. -Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt (1842-1919) 
Bruges, Belgium
|
