Phoenix, Arizona
Opening Prayer Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. -Hebrews 4:14,16 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. -Psalm 23:1-6 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Lord wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. -Psalm 51:7-8, 9-10 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. John 9:1-7 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. -Psalm 105:4 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Lord may these last three weeks in which you invite me to enter more fully into the mystery of your passion, bring me a greater desire to follow you on the way that you create for me and to accept the cross that you give to me. Let me die to the desire to choose my own way and select my own cross. You do not want to make me a hero, but a servant who loves you. Be with me in these coming days and let me experience with gentle presence. Amen -Henri Nouwen 
Upper Peninsula, Michigan
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