Tatev, Armenia
Opening Prayer
Father God, it is difficult to admit to myself and to others my weaknesses and failures, but You know all too well this about me. Help me to remember You are God and I am not, and help me to embrace that I am Yours. Amen -A2J Community (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously. -Isaiah 12:2-5 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Oh Lord, help me that I may produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Amen -Matthew 3:8 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. -Mark 2:18-20 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others In all my prayers for others, I always pray with Joy -Philippians 1:4 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer O my soul, be mindful of that awesome day, and wake up and light your lamp with the oil of joy, for you do not know when the voice will call upon you saying: "Behold, the Bridegroom is coming."So, take heed, my soul, not to fall asleep, lest you stand outside knocking like the five foolish virgins. But watch, entreating that you may meet Christ the Lord with rich oil, and He may grant you the wedding of His true and heavenly glory -The Agpeya of the Coptic Church 
Prescott, Arizona
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