Yeghegnadzor, Armenia
Opening Prayer
Help us to trust in you Lord and to do good; that we may dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. We desire to to delight in you Lord, and trust that you will give the desires of our hearts. -Psalm 37:3–4 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. -Isaiah 40: 10-11 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. -Isaiah 1:18 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. -John 10: 11-15 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God! You have relieved me in my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. -Psalm 4:1 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Lord, I rejoice that nothing can come between me and your love, even when I feel alone or in difficulty, when in sickness or am troubled. Even if attacked or afraid, ‘no abyss of mine is so deep that your love is not deeper still’. Lord, you have experienced many hells of this world but descended so that you can lift us up. Be always near. -Corrie Ten Boon (1892-1983) 
Colmar, France
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