Sedona, Arizona
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, who pours out on all who desire it in the spirit of grace and supplication. Deliver us, when we draw near to You, from coldness of heart and wandering mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship You in spirit and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. -Book of Common Prayer (Silent reflection) The Prayers of the Bible You are the God who answered me in the day of my distress and have been with me wherever I have gone. -Genesis 35:3 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” -Mark 7: 21-23 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' -Matthew 25:34-40 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and Others Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. -I Thessalonians 5:17 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Dearest Lord, may I see you today and every day in the person of your sick, and whilst nursing them, minister unto you. Though you hide yourself behind the unattractive disguises of the irritable, the exacting, the unreasonable, may I still recognize you. And say, Jesus, my patient, how sweet it is to serve you. -Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997) 
Kolkata, India
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