Phoenix, Arizona
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus help me to recognize and delight in the reality that like you, my food is to do the Father’s will and to accomplish His work. -John 4:34 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever. Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! Put them in fear, O Lord! Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah -Psalm 9: 18-20 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin O Jesus, blasphemed, accused, and wrongfully condemned have mercy upon us. O Jesus, clothed with a habit of reproach and shame, have mercy upon us. -John Wesley (1703-1791) (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. -Mark 10:19-22 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Jesus, you have given us a new commandment: to love one another even as you have love us, so we must love one another. May our prayers be an expression of our love for one another. -John 13:34 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that we may live deep within our hearts. May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace. May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, hunger, and war, so that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and turn their pain into joy. May God bless us with enough faith to believe that we can make a difference in this world. -Franciscan Blessing 
Pondicherry, India
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