Unsleben, Germany
Opening Prayer
Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine. Whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am thine! -Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) (Silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks. -I Chronicles 29:10-13 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our heart sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. -Hebrews 10:22 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. -Matthew 5:27-32 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and Others In all my prayers for others, I always pray with joy. -Philippians 1:4 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. ” -Numbers 6:24-26 
Maria Laach Abbey, Germany
|
