Thessaloniki, Greece
Opening Prayer
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. -Psalm 130:5-6 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. -Daniel 2: 20-22 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin O Lord, you whose mercies are new every morning, forgive me, I pray, for any unkind word, any selfish deed, any failure to show sympathy, and any omission of kindness I have committed this day, so I may be filled anew with your Spirit's power to admit my wrongdoing in humility and to love as Jesus loves. Amen. -W. David O. Taylor (1972- ) (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? -Mark 8:14-17 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives -Colossians 1:9 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer O blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen -Book of Common Prayer 
Russell, New Zealand
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