Stirling, Scotland
Opening Prayer Living God, however poor our prayer is, we search for you with confidence. And your love carves out a way forward through our hesitations and even through our doubts -Taize Community (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, and who hope in his steadfast love. -Psalm 147:7-11 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore thee, a heart to delight in thee, to follow and to enjoy thee, for Christ's sake. -Ambrose of Milan ( 339-97) (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus Father, I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. -John 17: 8-11 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving -Colossians 4:2 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Gracious Father, we pray for your holy catholic (universal) Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; Where it is in error, direct it; Where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; Where it is in want, provide for it; Where it is divided, reunite it; For the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen -Book of Common Prayer 
Rila Monastery: Rila, Bulgaria
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