Opening Prayer
I say to God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully because the enemy oppresses me?” -Psalm 42:9 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. You, O Lord, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever. On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man. -Psalms 17: 6-8 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light” -Romans 13:12 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me? Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” -John 7: 14-19, 23-24 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens -I Thessalonians 5:17 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Lord, give me a pure heart—that I may see Thee, A humble heart—that I may hear Thee A heart of love—that I may serve Thee, A heart of faith—that I may abide in Thee -Dag Hammarskjold (1905-1961) |