Opening Prayer
Lord, thank you that you are always with me. Thank you for holding me by my right hand, and guiding me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me to glory. -Psalm 72: 23-24 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. -Micah 7:7-8 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Find in Christ the way of peace, Peace unspeakable, unknown; By his pain he gives you ease, Life by his expiring groan; Rise, exalted by his fall, Find in Christ your all in all. -John Wesley (1703-1791) (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” -Mark 1: 12-15 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. -Romans 12:2 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. -Book of Common Prayer |