Burgundy, France
Opening Prayer
You are the God who answered me in the day of my distress and have been with me wherever I have gone. -Genesis 35:3 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need. -Psalm 142: 1-3, 5-6 (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 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” -Mark 14:32-34 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers and grant to your children the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen -Book of Common Prayer (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Lord our God and our Father, we thank you for all the light you let shine on earth to gladden our hearts. Your light shows us how to live in your creation with open eyes and open hearts, accepting in a childlike way all the good gifts from your hand. How much good you send to many sorrowful hearts, and how much strengthening to those in weakness, poverty, and sickness! Grant that we may recognize what comes from you, that we are not cast down in spirit but mount up again and again on wings like eagles. May we learn to say at all times, "Through how much need has not our merciful God spread out his wings to protect us!" Amen. -Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt (1842-1919) 
Lake Michigan, Michigan
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