Daily Prayer for Peace  | |
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Daily Prayer for Peace
Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Italy
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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 Italy in our prayers. Located in
southern Europe, Italy became a nation-state belatedly - in 1861. A
democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival
followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic
Community. It has been at the forefront of European economic and political
unification, joining the European Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent
problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high
unemployment, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy
compared with the more prosperous north. The success of local activism,
including the halting of the nation's nuclear power program, mobilizes
Italy's "green" political parties. Yet industrial and agricultural pollution
of rivers remains a problem. Roman, medieval, and Renaissance monuments in
Rome, Venice, and Florence are disintegrating under assault from pollution,
largely exhaust from automobiles.
As we open our hearts to the warmth of God's Spirit, may we be touched with
an awareness of the power resident in this time of prayer for peace. |
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| Scripture Reading: John 14:6,12-14,27 |
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Jesus told him,
“I myself am the Way—
I am Truth
And I am
Life.
No one comes to Abba God
But through
me.
The truth of the matter is,
anyone who has faith in me
will do the works I do—
and greater works besides.
Why? Because I go to Abba God,
and whatever you ask in my name I will do,
so that God may be glorified in me.
Anything you ask in my name
I will do.
Peace I leave with you,
my peace I give to you;
but the kind of peace I give you
is not like the world’s peace.
Don’t let your hearts be distressed;
don’t be fearful.” |
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Prayer for Peace by Donald V. Lents,
Independence, Missouri |
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O God, we express our gratitude for the privilege of sharing
individual and collective prayers with you personally. Many are the times
when you have brought peace, comfort and assurance during times of concern,
confusion, and disappointment. With this awareness we truly believe that
unification of world-wide prayer can bring the same peace, comfort and
assurance to the world in which we live. This now is our opportunity.
We pray for forgiveness when we permit discouragement and thoughts of doubt
to enter into our mental and spiritual selves. It is our understanding that,
through the centuries, these thoughts have been a part of humankind. At the
same time, we are aware of our patient and loving concern. Our world is
richly blessed because many of your disciples have expressed through their
lives the responsibilities of worthy stewards in varied ways. For this, too,
we express our thanksgiving.
We pray the spirit of peace will be manifest in each of us in our business
endeavors, social privileges, family relationships and daily work
assignments as well as the numerous other worthwhile tasks that make up our
daily existence. We hope we individually and collectively will be recognized
as disciples of this generation.
Many of your children strive for peace in varied arenas... not only in armed
conflict but also in personal and individual situations demanding the best
skills available to each person. Prayer for special direction, the ability
to utilize specific gifts of reconciliation for these efforts toward
peacemaking, compassion, and forgiveness touched by the Holy, are essential.
Accept our petition for guidance, we pray. We trust we will always be found
fulfilling the avenues of service available to us.
We share this prayer in the name of the great peacemaker, Jesus Christ.
Amen. |
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Hymn - What Wondrous Love Is This - Hymns of the
Saints #216 |
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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 Grace and God of Glory, we come to you with
praise and thanksgiving. We praise you for all your creation and majesty
and wisdom. We thank you for being mindful of us, for giving us choices,
for challenging us to consider all our brothers and sisters in the world
and not rest until equality is a way of life for all. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray today for the people of Italy. Bless them with
hope and strength to bring to pass their vision of peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We would not forget those who are gathered here this day.
Put into each heart a rainbow of remembrance, we pray. As we remember
your goodness, may we answer your call to leave unfruitful ways of life
behind us and live lives of blessing. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Enlarge our souls that we may hold all the blessings you
would pour upon us. Accept the desires we bring to be your peacemakers
in those places where we have influence. |
| 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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In the name of Jesus, who showed us the true meaning of
peace, we pray. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We conclude our service for today with meditation music.
We invite you to remain in the quiet of this place to pray or meditate
for as long as you may wish.
As we have reflected on God's goodness in our lives, and offered our
thanks, let us go and live lives of thankfulness. Go in peace. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
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