Gozo, Malta
Opening Prayer
Oh Lord our God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar, and set the heavens in place and who laid the foundations of the earth, you are the Lord Almighty. Place your words in our mouth and our heart. Cover us in the shadow of your hand -Isaiah 51:15-16 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done. -Psalm 105: 1-5 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the sake of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. -Micah 7: 18-19 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus Judas, (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.” -John 14:22-24 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. -I Thessalonians 5:17-18 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Grant us patience, O Lord, to follow the road you have taken. Let our confidence not rest in our own understanding but in your guiding hand; let our desires not be for our own comfort, but for the joy of your kingdom; for your cross is our hope and our joy now and unto the day of eternity. Amen. -Augustine of Hippo (354-430) 
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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