Belgrade, Serbia
Opening Prayer
Lord, help me to trust in You and not lose hope in You, my God. My days are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. Save me in your unfailing love. -Adapted from Psalm 31:14–16 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. -Psalm 8:1-2 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Deliver me, O God, from a slothful mind, from all lukewarmness, and all dejection of spirit: I know these cannot but deaden my love to Thee; mercifully free my heart from them, and give me a lively, zealous, active, and cheerful spirit, that I may vigorously perform whatever Thou commands, thankfully suffer whatever Thou chooses for me, and be ever ardent to obey in all things Thy holy love. Amen -John Wesley (1703-1791) (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When Jesus’ disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. -Mark 6:26-29 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. -Psalm 55:16-17 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who lives with You and the Holy Spirit, now and ever.Amen. –Book of Common Prayer 
Rila Monastery: Rila, Bulgaria
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