Opening Prayer Lord Jesus, you seek us, and offer us your friendship and invite us into life at its fullest. Grant us the courage and trust to answer your call so that we may be healed and transformed and become witnesses of your love for the world. -A2J Community (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 O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere and fillest all things; Treasury of Blessings, and Giver of Life - come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls. -Orthodox Prayer (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. -John 19:25-27 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with -James 5:16 The Message (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer O Lord, take full possession of my heart, raise there Your throne, and command there as You do in heaven. Being created by You, let me live for You; being created for You, let me always act for Your glory; being redeemed by You, let me give to You what is Yours; and let my spirit cling to You alone, for Your name's sake. Amen. -John Wesley (1703-1791) |