Opening Prayer
Thanks to you, O ever-gentle Christ, for raising me freely from the black and darkness of last night into the kindly light of day. -Celtic Daily Prayer (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Hear my cry, O God; Listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to You, I call as my heart grows faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe -Psalm 61:1-3 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you -Nehemiah 1: 5-6 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.” -Mark 9:27-29 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him -Psalm 28:6-7 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Dear Father always near us, may your name be treasured and loved, may your rule be completed in us. May your will be done here on earth in just the way it is done in heaven. Give us today the things we need today, and forgive us our sins and impositions on you as we are forgiving all who in any way offend us. Please don’t put us through trials, but deliver us from everything bad. Because you are the one in charge, and you have all the power, and the glory too is all yours-forever-which is just the way we want it! -Dallas Willard (1935-2013) paraphrase of the Lord’s Prayer |