Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, it brigs us great comfort to know that you understand our pain, for you were known as a man of sorrow, and one familiar with suffering. We bring our hearts to you resting secure in your love. -A2J Community (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode. -Exodus 15:11-13 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Mighty and loving God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We seek our own way. We divide the body of Christ. In Your mercy, cleanse us and heal us. Let the words of our mouths, the thoughts of our hearts, and everything that we do be filled with faith, hope, and love. Amen. -Lutheran Liturgy (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus And a great crowd followed Jesus and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. -Mark 5:24-29 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. -Psalm 141:2 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Almighty and ever-living God, Oh Lord Jesus Christ. I come sick to the Doctor of Life and unclean to the Fountain of Mercy, blind to radiance of Eternal Light, and poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. Lord, in Your great generosity heal my sickness, wash away my defilement, enlighten my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness. Amen. -Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) |