Tivoli, Italy
Opening Prayer
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. When you pass through the water, I will be with you; in the rivers you shall not drown. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; the flames shall not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your savior. You are precious in my eyes and... I love you.... Fear not, for I am with you" -Isaiah 43:1-5 (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. 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...Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. -Psalm 4:1-8 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who cry out to you. -Psalm 86: 4-7 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” -Matthew 22:36-40 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for ourselves and others Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. -Psalm 54:2 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Lord Jesus, bind me to You and to my neighbor with love. May my heart not be turned away from You. May my soul not be deceived nor my talent or mind enticed by allurement of error, so that I may never distance myself from Your love. Thus may I love my neighbor as myself, with strength, wisdom, and gentleness, with Your help, You who are blessed throughout all ages. Amen. -Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) 
Ephesus, Turkey
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