Lyon, France
Opening Prayer
Father, I thank you for the unique way you have created me. Heavenly Father, I am so thankful to be able to approach my Creator, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, with reverence and fear. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. You are God. I am not. You are in control. Hallelujah! -Ancient Wells (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. -Psalm 139: 1-6 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin May I sow righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up my fallow ground; for it is time to seek You, O Lord, until You come and rain righteousness on me. -Hosea 10:12 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” -John 8:3-7 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. -Colossians 4:2 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Dear Father, we thank you with all our hearts because we know you are holding us by your hand and leading us on all our ways, in spite of all contradiction, strife, distress, and confusion within ourselves. What are all these compared to your love, which does not let us go but watches over us and finally brings us to what is good? Release us from our many burdens. Free our spirits and our souls more and more until we are completely free to give you praise and thanks with all our heart, soul, and strength. -Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt (1842-1919) 
Taize, France
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