Opening Prayer
O Christ of the least and the homeless, O Christ of the lost and betrayed, come close to me this night that I may come close to you. As you watched me with care at my soul's shaping look on me now with grace. As you blessed me with light at the sun's rising shine on me now with love. -Prayer from Iona Community (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Your eyes, O Lord, move to and from throughout the whole earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to you. -2 Chronicles 16:9 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. O Lord, do not forsake me; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord of my salvation. -Psalm 38:18, 21-22 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him. And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” -Mark 14:10-14 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Oh, God, listen to my prayer; please open your ears. -Psalm 39:12 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Awaken us to the small joy and thankfulness that we are capable of, the timid faith that we bring, the incomplete obedience that we cannot refuse – to the hope in the greatness, wholeness, and completeness that you have prepared for us in the death of our Lord, Jesus Christ and that you have promised to us in his resurrection from the dead. -Karl Barth (1886-1968) |