Opening Prayer
“Lord, I don’t understand what is going on in my own life, let alone the world with all its pain and confusion but I choose again this day to entrust myself to your good, strong, and loving hands.” Amen -A2J Community (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah -Psalm 46: 4-7 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. -Habakkuk 3:2 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” -Mark 6:21-25 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. -John 15:7 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Set free, O Lord, the souls of Your servants from all restlessness and anxiety. Give us that peace and power which flow from You. Keep us in all perplexity and distress, that upheld by Your strength and stayed on the rock of Your faithfulness, we may abide in You now and evermore. Amen -Francis Paget (1851-1911) |