Karpas, N. Cyprus
Opening Prayer
Living God, however poor our prayer is, we search for you with confidence. And your love carves out a way forward through our hesitations and even through our doubts -Taize Community (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. -Psalm 16:8-11 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Almighty Father who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give me grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that I may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. -Divine Hours (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.” -Mark 12:25-27 (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 Gracious Savior, thank you for opening the way of freedom. I do love you Lord, and ask you to empower me to put that love in action by remaining in You. Grant me the courage and humility to draw near to You. Strengthen my will to remain in You. Make my life a living witness to You. Amen -Leanne Payne (1932-2015) 
Phoenix, Arizona
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