Opening Prayer
I will trust in you, O Lord, forever, for in you, the Lord, I have an everlasting Rock -Isaiah 26:4 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations. -Isaiah 61:10-11 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Lord may you establish my heart as blameless and holy in your presence at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. -1 Thessalonians 3:13 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly. -Mark 12:35-37 (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 Heavenly Father, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, I bless You since You have come near to be mindful of me, poor as I am. Father of mercies and God of all comfort, I give You thanks for at times refreshing me with Your consolation, undeserving as I am of any and all such gifts. To You, Father, together with Your only begotten Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, I offer praise and glory, now and for ever. -Thomas a’ Kempis (1380-1471) |