Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Benin
Would you like to learn
more about Benin?
Visit
Lonely
Planet. |
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Welcome today to this sacred place, and
thank you for your gift of presence. Each day in this Temple dedicated
to the pursuit of peace, we pray to God for peace in our world. In
addition, each day we pray for a different country.
Today we will hold up the people of Benin in our prayers. Located in
West Africa , Benin is a tiny country with the highest concentration of
attractions in West Africa with fetish markets and the voodoo culture.
There are remnants of the mighty culture that fed the slave trade and
architectural anomalies such as stilt villages and mud fortresses.
God of peace, come into our midst with your Spirit and guide us into
ways of peace and justice for all your creation. Give us eyes to see,
ears to hear, and touch our hearts to praise only you. |
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| Scripture Reading: Isaiah 32:17-18, Isaiah 54:10 |
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And the work of righteousness shall be
peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.
And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure
dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but my steadfast
love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be
removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. |
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Prayer for Peace by Anonymous |
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O Lord, our God, we come before you with praise and
thanksgiving for the beauty of your world. We are humbled at the
infinite mercy and grace that you bestow on us as a part of your
creation. You give each of us worth as people, and forgive us when we do
not live up to the potential that you have entrusted to us. Help us ever
to be more mindful of the needs of those around us--needs where we can
be your hands if we will take the time to seek you and be willing to
move out in faith.
We pray that we might be instruments of peace in a troubled world. We
pray for the leaders of all the nations of the world--that they may have
a desire for peace, that they might be enlightened to those ways that
can bring peace--that they can set aside greed and self-interest. We
come asking that your love and joy might touch our souls.
All around the world we lift our prayers for renewed courage, for
greater strength, and an endowment of your spirit that our discipleship
might be a positive influence in your world.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. |
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Hymn - Lord, Speak to Me - Hymns of the
Saints #412 |
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Prayers of the People
Please join us now, praying the Prayers of the People. During the
moments of silence, you are invited to pray silently or meditate. |
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O God of Peace, we praise you and give thanks for your
gentle, guiding calm in our lives. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We give thanks for safety, food, shelter, and all of the goodness you
provide in our lives. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Forgive our sinful ways we humbly ask, and bring to our remembrance
those actions and deeds in which we should be engaged to foster peace in
the world. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We especially remember the people of Benin this day. Enlighten them,
guide them, and give them the desire to put personal egos aside and seek
peace with their neighbors. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We would also remember the needs in our nation as well as our personal
inadequacies. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Please use this space to pray for any
current concern or event in our community, city, state, nation or world
that you feel needs to be held up to God for prayerful consideration.
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| The People Pray in Silence |
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Heal us we humbly pray, O God, that we may go forth as instruments of
peace.
We pray in the name of the Giver of Peace, Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We will conclude our service today with ministry of
music. We invite you to remain in the quiet of this place to pray or
meditate for as long as you may wish.
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.
As we go from this house of prayer, let us be the peacemakers and
peacekeepers we are called to be. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
