Opening Prayer
God my Father, help me to imitate you, as a beloved child, and walk always in love, just as Jesus loves me and gave Himself up for me as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to You. -Ephesians 5:1-2 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. -Psalm 36:7-9 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Loving Lord, you tell us in the Bible that whatever wrong we have done you tread down our faults to the bottom of the sea. Lord, you love all that you have made, and it is your very nature to love and forgive. Lead us to be generous in accepting and forgiving others in the same way as you accept and forgive us. Amen. -Nicholas Hutchinson (1954-2015) (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” -Mark 12:41-44 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Here’s what I'm saying: Ask and you'll get; Seek and you'll find; Knock and the door will open. Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. -Luke 11:9-10 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Lord, help me to use honestly and well this day all the resources and talents You have given me, that the gain may not be mine only, but Yours and Your kingdom’s through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. -Common Worship Daily Prayer |