Meteora, Greece
Opening Prayer
You are my refuge and strength, O God, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, I will not fear, though the earth changes and the mountains slip into the heart of the sea. -Psalm 46: 1-2 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. -Psalm 23: 1-4 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin “Arise, my soul, arise! Shake off thy guilty fears. The bleeding Sacrifice in my behalf appears: Before the throne my Surety stands; my name is written on His hands, my name is written on His hands.” -Charles Wesley (1707-1788) Source: Arise, my soul, arise (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus While Jesus was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” -Mark 5:35-36 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. -Mark 11:24 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer I am not worthy, my Master and my God, that you should come beneath the roof of my soul. Yet, since in your universal love you want to live in me, I ask with boldness. You command, open the gates which you forged, come in with love and light up my darkened thinking. I believe that you will do this because you did not send away the prostitute who came with tears, you did not send away the sorry tax-collector or the thief who sought your kingdom, you did not reject Paul who persecuted you, but all of those who came to You in repentance, you called ‘friends’, and live with you now, blessed forever and in eternity! Amen. –St John Chrysostom (347-407) 
Gemund, Germany
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