Tropea, Italy
Opening Prayer
The earth is Yours, O Lord, and everything in it, The world and all who dwell in it. For You founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. -Psalm 24:1-2 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Thus says the Lord: “In a time of favor I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages, saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’ to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’ They shall feed along the ways; on all bare heights shall be their pasture; they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them. -Isaiah 49: 8-10 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and give us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen -Book of Common Prayer (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus Jesus began to teach them many things. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” -Mark 6:34-37 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others You answered me when I called to you; with your strength you strengthened me. -Psalm 138:3 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Awaken us to the small joy and thankfulness that we are capable of, the timid faith that we bring, the incomplete obedience that we cannot refuse – to the hope in the greatness, wholeness, and completeness that you have prepared for us in the death of our Lord, Jesus Christ and that you have promised to us in his resurrection from the dead. -Karl Barth (1886-1968) 
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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