Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Finland
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Welcome today to this sacred place. 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 Finland in our prayers. Located in
far-northern Europe, forests cover two-thirds of Finland and the arctic
zone one-third, including the largest unspoiled wilderness in Europe.
Despite a short growing season, Finland is self-sufficient in meat,
grains, and dairy products. For years, the wood and paper industry
dominated Finland's exports; but now the metal/engineering/electronic
aspects of industry have surpassed forest products. Finland declared its
independence in 1917 after centuries of war and domination by Russia.
More recently, as a member of the European Union, Finland was the only
Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999.
In February 2000, Finns elected their first female president.
Now let us worship together as we seek new ways to pursue peace and
dedicate ourselves to serving the Prince of Peace. |
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| Scripture Reading: Corinthians 13:11 IV |
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Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in
peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. |
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Prayer for Peace by Ragnhild Carlson,
Independence, Missouri |
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Dear God, we come to you in prayer at this time feeling
grateful for the opportunity to meet with you in this peaceful setting.
We thank you for the many blessings you have bestowed upon us. So many
times we feel so comfortable in our own situation, and we become so
occupied with the daily activities of our own lives, that we have a
tendency to forget the needs of other people around us, and we ask your
forgiveness for this.
There is much need for a special peace, both in our own community and in
the world in general, a peace which can come from living in communion
with you. We realize we cannot solve all the problems, but help us be
more sensitive to the needs around us and what we can do to help. And
hopefully the peace to which we can contribute will spread to other
places beyond our own community.
We also realize we are limited in what we can do to help create peace in
far away places, but that people may be more sensitive to the leadings
of your spirit, and especially the leaders of the various countries,
that peace may become a reality among people and nations, that wars will
cease, striving for power will be replaced by love and understanding for
one's neighbor.
May we strive for peace in our own lives and in our families and
communities, and as it starts out like a small trickle, may it increase
to a wide river which spreads far beyond us as you bless our efforts.
May we use every opportunity to build up a feeling of self-worth in
those who feel low, and assure them of your love for them as you have
for each one of us.
Help us in this endeavor, dear God. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. |
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Hymn - Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands -
Sing for Peace #15 |
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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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Great God of all nations, races, and creeds, we praise
you. You are our refuge in times of trial and our joy in times of
celebration. We thank you and praise you. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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You are the fount of intelligence by which we earn our bread and seek to
serve you. We praise you. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We acknowledge those times when we have been less than you created us to
be. Heal our brokenness, and lead us into paths of peace as we praise
you. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray particularly for the nation of Finland this day. May its
citizens know that you are the God of all nations and the Creator of all
peoples. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We would also remember those who hunger and thirst for food, knowledge,
friends, shelter, or clothing. Open our hearts so we will be part of the
solution, not the cause of hurt in our world. |
| 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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O God of Peace, may your truth radiate from this place as we seek to be
your people of peace in the world. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We conclude our service today with Ministry of Music. We
invite you to leave quietly or remain to pray or meditate for as long as
you may wish.
Let us go from this house and be the people of peace we are called to
be. May you walk with Christ this week, facing its challenges with
strength and the assurance that God is always at your side. |
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| Ministry of Music |
