Gozo, Malta
Opening Prayer
The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The Lord is all I have, and so in him I will put my hope. -Lamentations 3:22–24 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible In the midst of the lampstands, was one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. -Revelation 1:13-18 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Forgive me O Lord all my sins, for you are rich in mercy, because of your great love for me, made me alive with Christ even when I was dead in transgressions; it is by grace I have been saved. -Ephesians 2:4-5 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. -Mark 16:9-11 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. -Psalm 119:147-148 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Glory to You, Lord Jesus Christ! You built Your cross as a bridge over death, so that departed souls might pass from the realm of death to the realm of life. Glory to You! You put on the body of a mortal man and made it the source of life for all mortal human beings. You are alive! Your murderers handled Your life like farmers: they sowed it like grain deep in the earth, for it to spring up and raise with itself a multitude of men. We offer You the great, universal sacrifice of our love, and pour out before You our richest hymns and prayers. For You offered Your cross to God as a sacrifice in order to make us all rich. Amen -Ephraim The Syrian (c. 305-373) 
Phoenix, Arizona
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