Opening Prayer
Father, may you fill me with the knowledge of your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that I may live a life worthy of you and please you in every way, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in your grace, strengthened wit all power according to your glorious might, so that I may have great endurance and patience with joy. -Colossians 1:9-11 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible I have set you, Lord, always before me. Because you are at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my body also will rest in hope. You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forever. -Psalm 16: 8-9, 11 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You, and worthily magnify Your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen -Book of Common Prayer (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus Jesus seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. -Mark 11:13-14 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -I Timothy 2:1 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Lord God, let us keep your Word in mind, And meditate on it day and night, Standing firm, watching and praying. Give us real knowledge of what we read, Show us not only how to understand it, but how to live it, So we might live in Spirit and in truth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. -Origin of Alexandria (185-254) |