Wachau Valley, Austria
Opening Prayer
“Jesus help us to remember that all of us go through hours of despair, and at such times it is important to continue praying. Even though we might feel that our efforts are so insignificant, so weak, that our voice can never reach heaven. But the truth is, prayer never depends on our feeling close to God; for he is always close to us, and he does hear us because of you Jesus. Amen.” -Johann Christoph Arnold (1940-2017) (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Be gracious to me, O Lord! See my affliction from those who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death, that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your salvation. -Psalm 9: 13-14 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin The heart is deceitful above all things and incurably sick. Who can understand it? You, Lord, search people’s hearts and test people’s minds. Lord in your mercy cleanse and restore our hearts. -Jeremiah 17:9-10 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus And a leper came to Jesus, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” -Mark 1: 40-41 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you -Matthew 5:44 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. -I Timothy 6:11-15. 
Wittenberg, Germany
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