Opening Prayer As I rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of Your presence, O God, set my heart on fire with love for You, now and forever. Amen. -The Divine Office (silent reflection) 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 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin -1 John 1: 6-7 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” -John 18: 7-11 (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 Heavenly Father, let me see your glory, if it must be from the shelter of the cleft rock and from beneath the protection of your covering hand, whatever the cost to me in loss of friends or goods or length of days let me know you as you are, that I may adore you as I was created to. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen -A.W. Tozer (1897-1963) |