Ephesus, Turkey
Opening Prayer
O God, thank you for stooping down and drawing near in mercy, like a loving parent, who always delights in helping their struggling child. God, you love us first and are the source of our love and worth. Thank you for inviting us to become channels of your great love. Amen -A2J Community (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” -Psalm 91:14-16 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Holy God, your knowledge of me exceeds what I grasp or see in any moment; you know me better than I know myself. Now, help me to trust in your mercy, to see myself in the light of your holiness, and grant me the grace that I may have true contrition, make an honest confession, and find in you forgiveness and perfect remission. Amen. -Augustine of Hippo (354-430) (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus “Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” -John 14:19-21 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives -Colossians 1:9 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer May the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. -Hebrews 13: 20-21 
The Benecke Home:
Trieb, Germany
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