Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Ireland
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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We greet you in the name of God who calls us to peace. Each
day during this service we pray for a different country. Today we will hold
up the people of Ireland in our prayers. Ireland is located in Europe, an
island off the cost of Great Britain. Ireland was controlled by the Celts,
Iron Age warriors from eastern Europe, for 1000 years; they left a legacy of
language and culture that survives today. English power in Ireland was
consolidated under Henry VIII and Elizabeth I; decisions from that time
period sowed the seed for division and dissension that lasted for centuries.
The Great Famine of 1845-1851 led to mass starvation and set up a pattern of
emigration that continued well into the 20th century. Ireland continued to
push for independence, and the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 gave independence
to 26 Irish counties and allowed six largely Protestant Ulster counties the
choice of opting out. South Ireland was finally declared a republic in 1948
and left the British Commonwealth in 1949. Instability in the north turned
into major conflict in the 1960s; the conflict known as “the Troubles”
continued until the late 1990s. After several attempts at a ceasefire,
Northern Ireland seems to have finally found peace. The Irish Republic Army
turned in its guns and ended its armed campaign in mid-2005. A power-sharing
agreement was successfully instituted in May 2007. The economy continues to
grow, creating challenges with increased immigration and pressure on
Ireland’s welfare and transport infrastructure.
Let us unite our hearts, minds, and voices in praise as we seek new avenues
of peace for our time. |
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| Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 160:2a |
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Become a people of the Temple—those who see violence but
proclaim peace, who feel conflict yet extend the hand of reconciliation,
who encounter broken spirits and find pathways for healing. |
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Prayer for Peace by Dennis Coleman, Papillion,
NE |
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We gather in this sacred place to experience the warmth of
your love, a love that we know extends to all of your creation. We gather
here with singleness of purpose, Father, to pray for peaceful coexistence
within our world. We come from many corners of the world, each experiencing
forms of unrest, conflict, fear, and violence. Yet we gather together with
joy, knowing we draw into your presence.
Lord, out of our humanness we feel overcome by our inability to resolve
conflicts in our own life, let alone in the lives of those who surround us.
Let us never forget that the power of a Christ-like love extended freely and
compassionately, allows your spirit to work in and through us. We ask, Lord,
for insight into ways that we can be instruments of your peace in our
communities. Give us the courage like David, the courage to go forth with
inner peace and confidence into righteous service, show our world that peace
will exist when you are resident within each of us.
Help us to always be willing to kneel down before you in a true repentance,
while being willing to forgive others, even as you forgive us. With your
Holy Spirit, cleanse our hearts of the prejudice and hate which separates us
from each other. Let us know love for each other and peace with each other,
we pray. Amen. |
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Hymn - This Is My Song - Hymns of the Saints #315 |
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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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God of all the earth and those who dwell thereon, we
pray that the light of peace will heal the dark places of the earth. We
pray for those who suffer the destruction and desolation of war and
human selfishness. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We hold to your light of love and healing the children,
youth, and adults of Ireland. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for courage to be your presence in actions of
justice, tenderness, and love. We ask for divine forgiveness when we
have not been compassionate or loving or just. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Hear us, O God, as we pray for all who are victims of abuse,
neglect, hatred, and war. May your light fill all the world. Help us not to
perpetrate abuse, neglect, hate, or resort to violence to settle our
differences. |
| 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 God that in the midst of incredible
difficulties many people are sustained by courage and determination. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We lift our hearts and minds and voices in honor, praise,
and glory to you, Great God of Peace. Fill us with your spirit of love, we
humbly pray. Amen |
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| Sending Forth |
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We conclude our service today with a postlude. We invite
you to remain in the quiet of this place and pray or meditate for as
long as you may wish.
Go now with God’s own peace. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
