Rila, Bulgaria
Opening Prayer
Help me Lord to work out my salvation with fear and trembling, for it is you, O God, who work in me to will and to act according to your good purpose. -Philippians 2:12-13 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. -Isaiah 53:4-6 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Woe to me, for I am undone! Because I have unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen you, the King, the Lord of hosts. -Isaiah 6:5 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. And they brought him to the place called Golgotha. And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” -Mark 15:21:27 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others We call on you, Lord, be our helper and protector. Save the afflicted among us; have mercy on the lowly; raise up the fallen; appear to the needy; heal the ungodly; restore the wanderers of thy people; feed the hungry; ransom our prisoners; raise up the sick; comfort the faint-hearted. –Clement of Rome (died 99AD) (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in Your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and Love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen! -Book of Common Prayer 
Taormina, Sicily
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