Saint Anthony's Monastery:
Florence, Arizona
Opening Prayer
My eyes are upon you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge, you will not leave my soul destitute. -Psalm 141:8 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, O God, test us; and you refine us like silver. But God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me! -Psalm 66:8-10,19-20 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Lord Jesus, come yourself, and dwell with us, be human as we are, and overcome what overwhelms us. Come into the midst of my evil, come close to my unfaithfulness. Share my sin, which I hate and which I cannot leave. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept. -Mark 14:67-72 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. -Colossians 4:2 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. -Book of Common Prayer 
Bellapais Abbey, N. Cyprus
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