Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Opening Prayer
Lord, You are my hiding place and my shield; I have put my hope in Your word. -Psalm 119:114 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God -Psalm 143:10 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin O Lord, you whose mercies are new every morning, forgive me, I pray, for any unkind word, any selfish deed, any failure to show sympathy, and any omission of kindness I have committed this day, so I may be filled anew with your Spirit's power to admit my wrongdoing in humility and to love as Jesus loves. Amen. -W. David O. Taylor (1972- ) (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. -Mark 4:13-15 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others You answered me when I called to you; with your strength you strengthened me. -Psalm 138:3 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Lord Jesus, help us to find our strength in your might. Help us to put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Help us to understand that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Help us to take up the whole armor of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. May we fasten on the belt of truth, and put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for our feet, put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Help us to in all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which we can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. -Adapted from Ephesian 6:10-18 
Salzburg, Austria
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