Opening Prayer Lord help me to remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. -Psalm 63:6-8 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible This is love: that I walk in obedience to your commandments, O God. And this is the commandment that I have heard from the beginning: I am to walk in love. -2 John 1: 6 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Forgive me my sin O Lord, for “you are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.” -Psalm 86: 5-7 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Passion of Jesus From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement. It was the day of Preparation of the Passover. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. -John 19:12-16 (Think deeply on the life of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us; through Christ our Lord. Amen. -Book of Common Prayer (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer O Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Pentecost, help me to clarify what is ambiguous, to give warmth to what is indifferent, to enlighten what is obscure, and to be before the world a true and generous witness of Christ's love, for no one can live without love. Amen -Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) |