Opening Prayer
Jesus, you have given us your commandment, that we are to love one another as you have loved us. We ask that you will transform our hearts and make us the kind of people who deeply love you and others. -A2J Community (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! 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 to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! -Psalm 57: 5, 9-11 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Lord, I commit my failures as well as my successes into your hands, and I bring for your healing the people and the situations, the wrongs and the hurts of the past. Give me courage, strength and generosity to let go and move on, leaving the past behind me, and living the present to the full. As I entrust the past to your mercy, the present to your love, and the future to your providence. -Augustine Of Hippo 354-430 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. -John 15: 16-17 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. -Psalm 55:16-17 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Oh LORD may Your name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through You, and they will call You blessed. We praise You LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to Your glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with Your glory. Amen and Amen. -Psalm 72:17-19 |