Silence.........

Approach to Silence

We make confession using Psalm 51 (click for a modern version or maybe you are familiar with the old one)

1. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies  blot out my transgressions. 
2. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 
3. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 
4. Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest. 
5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 
6. Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 
7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow
8. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice. 
9. Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. 
12. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit.
13. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.

We make Intercession bringing to mind all those things in the news that disturb us, the ills and problems of loved ones and the fears we have both for them and for ourselves.

We begin to listen first to the sounds of creation around us and acknowledge that God is in them, then to the sounds inside us, our hopes and our fears and acknowledge that God knows about them too and has given His Son Jesus to be our Saviour.

We remind ourselves, from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians Chapter 2 , that Jesus:
6   Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7   But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness       of men:
8    And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9    Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:
10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Press the button to start the count when you are ready.

If you prefer, go when you are ready Dear Lord and Father.......................