Opening Prayer
O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: by the might of Your Spirit lift me, I pray to Your presence, where I may be still and know that You are God. Amen. -Book of Common Prayer (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you. -Isaiah 35:1-5 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or chasten me in your wrath. Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are in distress. My soul also is greatly troubled. How long, O Lord, how long? -Psalm 6: 1-3 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” -Mark 14:35-38 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. -Romans 12:12 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Most gentle Jesus, grant me Your grace; let it be with me, work with me, and remain with me until the end. Grant me always to desire and will what is most acceptable and most pleasing to You. Let Your will be mine, and let my will ever follow yours and be in perfect harmony with it. Let my willing and not willing be the same as Yours. Amen -Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471) |