Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Iran
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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We greet you in the name of
Jesus the Christ, and welcome you 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 Iran in our prayers. Located in the
Middle East, the country was known as Persia until 1935. Iran became an
Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling shah was forced into exile.
War with Iraq from 1980 to 1988 cost a million Iranian lives and
devastated the economy. Iran confronts political and social
transformation as some promote liberal ideas, while others hold fast to
established Islamic traditions. An estimated seven million Iranians have
access to the Internet, which has been used to circumvent government
censorship. Persian carpets are Iran's most famous cultural export,
dating back to the 5th century BC, and are still an integral part of
religious and cultural festivals (and the economy).
The United Nations Assembly has designated May 29 of each year as the
International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, to pay tribute to all
the men and women who have served in United Nations peacekeeping
operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication and
courage, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in
the cause of peace (resolution 57/129, 11 December 2002). The Assembly
invited all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system,
non-governmental organizations and individuals to observe the Day in an
appropriate manner.
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 KJ21, Isaiah
54:10NRSV |
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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 Author Unknown |
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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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Let us join in a common confession of our sins. For the
arrogance of our pride of race, of nation, and of class, by which we put
down others and thus break the community of the human family, in
defiance of your will, we ask forgiveness. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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For the sin of our self-concern, where we seek first our own private
good, in getting and gaining, to the neglect of our neighbor's needs
near and far, we ask forgiveness. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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For our casual and careless disdain for the good earth, in all its
majesty and beauty, which we plunder and despoil for present gain,
counting not the dire cost the future must pay, we ask your forgiveness. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We ask your watchcare and blessing for the people of Iran. Help them,
and us, to learn peaceful ways to settle our differences. May pride of
religion not keep us from loving all people. Help us to learn peace and
justice and thereby break the cycles of hatred and war. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We ask divine blessing upon the needs and concerns of those gathered
here this day. Hear our petitions we humbly ask. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We ask your guidance and presence with the peacemakers of this world. Be
with those who would risk their lives and safety to bring peace in their
part of the 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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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 music
meditation. 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 |
