Enkomi, N. Cyprus
Opening Prayer
Glory, glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father we worship you, we give you thanks, We praise you for your glory. Lord God, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world: Have mercy on us; You are seated at the right hand of the Father: Receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God, the Father. Amen. -The Gloria (2nd century) (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah. Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him. In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent -Psalm 4:1-4 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Search me thoroughly, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. -Psalm 139: 23-24 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. -Mark 9:42-47 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Lord, help us to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ -Galatians 6:2 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer We wait. We wait, our Father, until at last something of thy strength becomes our strength, something of thy heart becomes our heart, something of thy forgiveness becomes our forgiveness. We wait, O God, we wait. -Howard Thurman (1899-1981) 
Antakya, Turkey
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