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I join with all who are praying *
to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer
O dear Lord, God and Father, enter not into judgment against us because no man living is justified before thee. Do not count it against us as a sin that we are so unthankful for thine ineffable goodness, spiritual and physical, or that we stray into sin many times every day, more often than we can know or recognize.
Do not look upon how good or how wicked we have been but only upon the infinite compassion which thou hast bestowed upon us in Christ, thy dear Son. *
Grant forgiveness also to those who have harmed or wronged us, as we forgive them from our hearts. They inflict the greatest injury upon themselves by arousing thy anger in their actions toward us. We are not helped by their ruin; we would much rather that they be saved with us. Amen.
- Martin Luther
Observe a time of silence before the Lord
(1 – 5 minutes)
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Scriptural Theme
Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.
Sing to the Lord a song of praise
(acapella, or accompanied by instruments / recorded music)
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Praying Psalm 51 :13-19 (New International Version)
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
So that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
You who are God my Savior,
And my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord,
And my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
A broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
In burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Response to the Scripture
Lord God, indeed you love truth in the inward parts. Look with mercy on our contrite hearts and teach us wisdom.
Draw near to God’s throne of grace
with the thanksgivings, prayers, & intercessions that are on your heart
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The Spirit and the Bride say *
“Come!”
Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly. *
Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.
Praise / prayer / silence / sing a new song
(follow the leading of the Holy Spirit)
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Ending Prayer
O Lord our God, grant us grace to desire thee with our whole heart, that so desiring, we may seek and find thee, and so finding thee we may love thee; and loving thee we may hate those sins from which thou hast redeemed us, for the sake of Jesus Christ.
- the Oxford Book of Prayer
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
( Adapted by Christ the Reconciler from Season 4: Lent Bridge Prayer – “The Joy of Repentance” )