Dublin, Ireland
Opening Prayer
Christ be with us this day, within us to purify us; above us to draw us up; beneath us to sustain us; before us to lead us; behind us to restrain us; around us to protect us. –Patrick of Ireland (389-461) Prayer of the Bible My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. -Psalm 108: 1-4 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers and sisters -Proverbs 6: 16-19 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” -John 14:12-14 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. -Ephesians 6:18 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that we may live deep within our hearts. May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice and peace. May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, hunger, and war, so that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and turn their pain into joy. May God bless us with enough faith to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim is impossible, to bring justice and kindness to all our children. -Franciscan Blessing 
Sliven, Bulgaria
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