Rila Monastery, Bulgaria
Opening Prayer
“Peace I leave you; my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid’ for I have overcome the world." -Jesus (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked because he was angry. Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. He bowed the heavens and came down. -Psalm 18: 5-9 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness. -Psalm 130:1-4 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. -Mark 15:37-41 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to You. -Psalm 6:1 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer "O God, early in the morning I cry to you. Help me to pray and to concentrate my thoughts on you: I cannot do this alone. In me there is darkness, but with you there is light; I am lonely, but you do not leave me; I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help; I am restless, but with you there is peace. In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience; I do not understand your ways, but you know the way for me…Lord, whatever this day may bring, Your name be praised." -Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) 
Lake Michigan, Michigan
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