 Opening PrayerFather, I need you, I feel alone and abandoned, help me to trust that you are here now wanting to meet with me. You are my Shepherd, restoring my soul, and gently guiding me. Open my eyes to see where you are at work within me and around me. -A2J Community (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleThe 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. -Psalm 23: 1-4 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinThank you Jesus, that sin no longer need reign in my body that I should obey its evil desires. With your help, I will not present the parts of my body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but I will present myself to You, Lord God, as one who is alive from the dead. -Romans 6:12 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave] to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. -John 8:31-36 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersBlessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! -Psalm 66:20 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerYou never go away from us, Yet we have difficulty in returning to You. Come, Lord, stir us up and call us back. Kindle and seize us. Be our fire and our sweetness. Let us love. Let us run. -Augustine of Hippo (354-430) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Istanbul, Turkey Bottom: Yeghegnadzor, Armenia
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 Opening PrayerThe Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. -Habakkuk 2:20 (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleAll the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O Lord, when they hear the words of Your mouth. Yes, they sing of Your ways, O Lord, for Your glory is great. Though You reign on high, Yet you look upon the lowly, but the proud You know from afar. -Psalm 138: 4-6 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinO that we may all receive of Christ’s fullness, grace upon grace; grace to pardon our sins, and subdue our iniquities; to justify our persons and to sanctify our souls; and to complete that holy change, that renewal of our hearts, whereby we may be transformed into that blessed image wherein thou didst create us. Amen -John Wesley (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusSo Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” As he was saying these things, many believed in him. -John 8:28-30 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersHave mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. -Psalm 86:3 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerGod of compassion, You sent Jesus to proclaim a time of mercy reaching out to those who had no voice, releasing those trapped by their own shame, and welcoming those scorned by society. Make us ambassadors of reconciliation. Open our ears that we may listen with respect and understanding. Touch our lips that we may speak your words of peace and forgiveness. Warm our hearts that we may bring wholeness to the broken-hearted and dissolve the barriers of division. Guide the work of your Church and renew us with the Spirit of your love. Forgive, restore and strengthen us through our Lord Jesus Christ. -Prayer of Reconciliation Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Interlaken, Switzerland Bottom: Bruge, Belgium
 Opening PrayerEternal God, who are the light of the minds that know you, the joy of the hearts that love you, and the strength of the wills that serve you; grant us so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom, in Jesus Christ our Lord. -Augustine of Hippo (354-430) (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleI will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is Your love toward me, and you have delivered my soul from the depths of the grave. -Psalm 86: 12-13 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinForgive me God for forsaking You, the fountain of living waters, to dig my own cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water -Jeremiah 2: 11, 13 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusSo they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. -John 8:25-27 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersHere’s what I'm saying: Ask and you'll get; Seek and you'll find; Knock and the door will open. Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need -Luke 11:9-10 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerLord, look at my soul’s wounds, your living and effective eye sees everything. It pierces like a sword, even to part asunder soul and spirit. Assuredly, my Lord, you see in my soul the traces of my former sins, my present perils, and also motives and occasions for others yet to be. You see those things, Lord, and I would have you see them. you know well, O Searcher of my heart, that there is nothing in my soul that I would hide from you, even had I the power to escape your eyes. My hope, most merciful, is in your lovingkindness; for you will see me, either as a good physician sees, intent upon my healing, or else as a kind master, anxious to correct, or a forbearing father, longing to forgive. -Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Tatev Village, Armenia Bottom: Trieb, Germany
 Opening PrayerLord God, my holy lover, when You enter my heart everything rejoices within me. You are my glory and the joy of my heart; You are my hope and my refuge in the day of my distress. Thomas a’ Kempis (1380-1471) (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleHear O Lord, and be merciful to me; O Lord, be my helper. You turned my mourning into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my heart may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. -Psalm 30: 10-12 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinMy God, for love of you I desire to hate and forsake all sins by which I have ever displeased you; and I resolve by the help of your grace to commit them no more; and to avoid all opportunities of sin. help me to do this, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. -Common Worship (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. -John 8:21-23 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and Others For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. -Ephesians 1:15-16 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer O Christ, our Morning Star, Splendor of Light Eternal, shining with the glory of the rainbow, come and waken us from the greyness of our apathy, and renew in us your gift of hope. Amen. -Bede the Venerable (672-735) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Yeghegnadzor, Armenia Bottom: Gozo, Malta
 Opening PrayerEven in our weaknesses and limitations, we know that you, Holy Spirit are here with us. Help us to see that prayer is trusting Jesus will make good on the promise once made to Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is manifested in your weakness" -Jean Vanier (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleYou uphold all who fall, O Lord, and lift up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing -Psalm 145: 14-16 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinWho can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. -Psalm 19:12-13 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusIn your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. -John 8:17-20 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersI call to you, O LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you. -Psalm 88:9 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerDear Father in heaven, we thank you that we are your children and that your eyes watch over us and see all that is in our hearts. You hear the request of each heart, and you will answer at the right time. Stretch out your strong hand to us, for we are weak and often heavy-hearted, not knowing what to do nor how to find you. But you are with us in every need in spite of all our faults and shortcomings. You are with us; you lead us through everything to our life’s true goal, until each of us can rejoice over all you have done, to the praise of your name, our Father. Amen. -Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Bruge, Belgium Bottom: Wurzburg, Germany
 Opening Prayer“I came that you might have life, and have it abundantly” -Jesus (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleI will give thanks to you, Lord, for you are good; your lovingkindness endures forever. I will give thanks to you for your unfailing love and your wonderful acts to all your people, for you satisfy the thirsty soul and fill the hungry soul with good things -Psalm 107: 1, 8,9 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinI know, O Lord, that my life is not my own; it is not for me to direct my steps. O Lord, correct me, but with justice—Not in Your anger, lest You reduce me to nothing. -Jeremiah 10:23-24 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusJesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. -John 8:14-16 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersI know, O Lord, that my life is not my own; it is not for me to direct my steps. O Lord, correct me, but with justice—Not in Your anger, lest You reduce me to nothing. -Jeremiah 10:23-24 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerHoly Spirit, powerful Consoler, Sacred Bond of the Father and the Son, Hope of the afflicted, descend into my heart and establish in it Your loving dominion. Enkindle in my tepid soul the fire of Your Love so that I may be wholly subject to You. We believe that when You dwell in us, You also prepare a dwelling for the Father and the Son. Deign, therefore, to come to me, Consoler of abandoned souls, and Protector of the needy. Help the afflicted, strengthen the weak, and support the wavering. Come and purify me. Let no evil desire take possession of me. You love the humble and resist the proud. Come to me, glory of the living, and hope of the dying. Lead me by Your grace that I may always be pleasing to you. Amen. -Augustine of Hippo (354-430) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Harare, Zimbabwe Bottom: Ettal, Germany (Ettal Abbey)
 Opening PrayerMay the light of God illumine the heart of my soul. May the flame of Christ kindle me to love. May the fire of the Spirit free me to live now and always -Celtic Blessing (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleWhere shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. -Psalm 139: 7-12 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinGod did in Christ himself reveal, To chase our darkness by his light, Our sin and ignorance dispel, Direct our wandering feet aright, And bring our souls, with pardon blest, To realms of everlasting rest. -Charles Wesley (1707-1788) (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” -John 8:12 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersMay we be deeply devoted to one another, honoring one another above ourselves -Romans 12:10 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerClosing Prayer Lord, Lord, Open Unto Me Open unto me, light for my darkness, Open unto me, courage for my fear Open unto me, hope for my despair, Open unto me, peace for my turmoil Open unto me, joy for my sorrow, Open unto me, strength for my weakness Open unto me, wisdom for my confusion, Open unto me, forgiveness for my sins Open unto me, tenderness for my toughness, Open unto me, love for my hates Open unto me, Thy Self for myself, Lord, Lord, open unto me! -Howard Thurman (1899-1981) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Arat Plain, Armenia (Khory vrap monastery) Bottom: Yeghegnadzor, Armenia
 Opening PrayerSurely you are my salvation, O God; I will trust and not be afraid. For you are my strength and my song, and you have become my salvation. -Isaiah 12:2 (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleI have set you, Lord, always before me. Because you are at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my body also will rest in hope. You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forever -Psalm 16: 8-9, 11 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinJesus, hope of the penitent, how kind you are to those who ask, how good you are to those who seek. What must you be to these who find? -Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusAnd once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” -John 8:8-10 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersOut of the depths I call to you, O Lord. O Lord, hear my voice and let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications -Psalm 130: 1-2 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerLord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him. Show us your face and we will be saved. Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman: “If you knew the gift of God!” You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. -Pope Francis (1936- ) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Cologne, Germany Bottom: Vatican City, Rome
 Opening PrayerO Lord, I pray that your children may come to feel your presence and be immersed in your deep, warm, affective love. And to me, O Lord, your stumbling friend, show your mercy. Amen -Henri Nouwen (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleO 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 SinMay 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 JesusThe 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) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersDevote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. -Colossians 4:2 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerDear 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 can do nothing but give praise and thanks with heart, soul, and strength for all you are to us. Amen. -Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt (1842-1919) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Vatican City, Rome Bottom: Yeghegnadzor, Armenia
 Opening PrayerO God, you are my God; Earnestly I seek you; My soul thirsts for you; My body longs for you, In a dry and weary land Where there is no water. -Psalm 63:1 (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleGod gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:29-31 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinO Lord, you have blotted out my transgressions like a thick cloud and my sins like the morning mist. I will return to you, for you have redeemed me. -Isaiah 44:22 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusOn the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified -John 7:37-39 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersO Lord, hear my prayer; listen to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for you will answer me -Psalm 86: 6-7 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerGod, help us to see others not as our enemies or as ungodly but rather as thirsty people. And give us the courage and compassion to offer your Living Water, which alone quenches deep thirst. -Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Lille, France Bottom: Darmstadt, Germany (Evangelical Sister of Mary Kanaan)
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