Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Iraq
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more about Iraq?
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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We greet you in the name of the
Prince of Peace who calls us to worship. Thank you for joining us in
prayer. 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 hold up the people of Iraq in our prayers. Located in the
Middle East, Iraq occupies the ancient region of Mesopotamia, "land
amidst the rivers," a fertile lowland created by the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers. Today these rivers sustain large areas of irrigated
farmland and one of the highest populations in the Middle East. Beneath
the land, Iraq is second only to Saudi Arabia in rich oil reserves. Iraq
gained independence in 1932 as a monarchy, but a 1958 coup brought a
series of military dictatorships.
In 2002, the United States attacked Iraq and toppled the regime. An
interim government took charge in June 2004, but Iraq was a long way
from stabilizing. The country's future remains very tenuous. |
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| Reading: Zechariah 7:9-10 NIV |
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This is what the Lord Almighty says:
‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do
no oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your
hearts do not think evil of each other.’ |
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Prayer for Peace by Dolores McCormack,
Thornhill, Ontario |
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Dear God,
You are God of the universe, the universal God, creator of all persons
in all nations, with each one as diverse as the countries and continents
from which they come. All have been touched with the beauty of your
loving hand.
Because of your presence in the life of Jesus Christ, we are able to
comprehend better your great love for all people.
Because of Christ's compassion and heartache in the experience of
injustice, we know something of the anguish you must feel when wars and
destructive causes bring suffering to your children.
We pray for the leaders and promoters of peace. May the stalwarts of
every nation be strengthened in their resolve to fight injustice with
love. May multitudes rise to support the process of peace.
Help us to uphold in our prayers the victims of violence as well as the
champions of peace.
Help us to be aware that in our homes, in our communities, and in all of
our relationships, peace must begin with us. May we be strengthened with
Christ-like personalities that will enable us to love, to understand
others, to be able to see another's point of view and accept their right
to think differently.
Help all people to be the leaven of peace in their own sphere of
influence. May we respond to your love.
In the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen. |
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Hymn - Lord Jesus, of You I Will Sing -
Sing for Peace #31 |
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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, you are the way of peace. Come into the
brokenness of our lives and our land with your healing love. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Help us to be willing to bow before you in true repentance, and to bow
to one another in real forgiveness. By the fire of your Holy Spirit,
melt our hard hearts and consume the pride and prejudice which separate
us. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Fill us, O Lord, with your perfect love which casts out fear, and bind
us together in that unity which you share with you and the Holy Spirit. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for all occasions which bring together people of different
traditions. We remember the people of Iraq and hear their cries for
peace. Move on the hearts of world leaders that they may also hear the
people’s cries and work towards peace. |
| 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 thank you and praise you for your love that sustains us, for wisdom
that directs us, and for desire that beckons us toward peace in our
world. In the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus, we pray. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We will conclude our service today with Ministry of
Music. You are invited to remain to pray or meditate in the quiet of
this place for as long as you may wish.
Let us go from this Temple and be the people of peace we are called to
be. Amen. |
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| Postlude |
