Skopje, Macedonia
Opening Prayer
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You -Psalm 89:14 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. -Habakkuk 3:16-19 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and give us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen -Book of Common Prayer (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus And as Jesus reclined at table in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” -Mark 2:15-17 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Far be it from me that I should sin against You, O Lord, by ceasing to pray for others -I Samuel 12:23 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer May Your spirit guide my mind, which is so often dull and empty. Let my thoughts always be on You, and let me see You in all things. May Your Spirit quicken my soul, which is so often listless and lethargic Let my soul be awake in Your presence, and let me know You in all things. Amen -Johann Freylinghausen (1670-1739) 
Cevio, Switzerland
|
