Wallhausen, Germany
Opening Prayer
O Lord, Our God, you created the heavens, you fashioned and made the earth and established it. In your wisdom and love you did not create it to be empty but to be filled with all kinds of living things. Thank you for making us in your image, to share your love and your work with us. Amen -A2J Community. (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever. Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! Put them in fear, O Lord! Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah -Psalm 9: 18-20 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. -Isaiah 1:18 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. -Mark 1: 35-39 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Lord, we ask thee, give ear to our prayers, and by thy gracious visitation lighten the darkness of our heart, by our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. -Book of Common Prayer (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Lord Jesus, bind me to You and to my neighbor with love. May my heart not me turned away from You. May my soul not be deceived nor my talent or mind enticed by allurement of error, so that I may never distance myself from Your love. Thus may I love my neighbor as myself, with strength, wisdom, and gentleness, with Your help, You who are blessed throughout all ages. Amen -Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) 
Ephesus, Turkey
|
