Opening Prayer
Lord, Incline my heart to the words of Your mouth and let them come upon me as the dew. Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening. I am Your servant, give me understanding that I may know Your decrees. -Psalm 119:112,125 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible O Lord my God. When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord! -Jonah 2:7-9 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Lord, I have heard of your fame, and I stand in awe of Your deeds. O Lord, revive Your works 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 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” -Mark 8:18-21 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. -Ephesians 1:15-16 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer "O God, early in the morning I cry to you. Help me to pray and to concentrate my thoughts on you: I cannot do this alone. In me there is darkness, but with you there is light; I am lonely, but you do not leave me; I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help; I am restless, but with you there is peace. In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience; I do not understand your ways, but you know the way for me…Lord, whatever this day may bring, Your name be praised." -Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) |