Istanbul, Turkey
Opening Prayer
God our heavenly Father, when the thought of you wakes in our hearts, let its awakening not be like a startled bird that flies about in fear. Instead, let it be like a child waking from sleep with a heavenly smile. -Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. -Psalm 1: 1-3 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. -Psalm 32: 1-5 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. -John 8:54-55 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others I love you, Lord because you have heard my voice and my supplications. Because you turned your ear to me, I will call on you as long as I live -Psalm 116:1-2 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer May those without shelter be under your guarding this day O Christ may the wandering find places of welcome, O Son of the tears of the wounds of the piercings, May your cross this day be shielding them. -Prayer from Iona Community 
Darmstadt, Germany
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