Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
|
 |
Maldives
Would you like to learn more about Maldives?
Visit Lonely
Planet.
|
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
| |
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 Maldives in our prayers. The
Maldives are a cluster of coral islands in the Indian Ocean near
southern Asia. Long under Arab influence, and a British colony from
1887-1965, the Maldives proclaimed itself a republic in 1968. The
economy depends on fishing, tourism, and tropical fruits for income.
As we reflect on the history that led to creation of this building on
this piece of ground, let us consider the temple we are building in our
souls. |
| |
| Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 INT |
| |
All of this is from God, who ransomed us
through Christ—and made us ministers of that reconciliation. This means
that through Christ, the world was fully reconciled again to God, who
didn’t hold our transgressions against us, but instead entrusted us with
this message of reconciliation. |
| |
|
Prayer for Peace by anonymous |
| |
I seek a heart that is attuned to listen to the sounds
of human life—the murmurings of pain and struggle, the babble of
confusion and doubt, the whispering of yearnings, the ecstatic outburst
of joy and delight.
I seek a heart with an interior vision that “sees” beyond the
exterior—the peacefulness of a life well spent, the prayerfulness of the
quiet, the agony of the fearful, the loneliness of the complainer.
I seek a heart imbued with feeling that can penetrate closed walls;
walls that shut out closeness, walls that prohibit friendship, walls
that choke out life.
I seek a heart that can open new avenues to life by a recognition of
goodness, a freeing of humanness, and an appreciation of God’s wonders.
I seek a heart that is other-centered, motivated by love of my God,
freely giving til’ it hurts, joyfully surrendering selfish whims,
peacefully touching life with beauty, gently walking in God’s way. |
| |
|
Hymn - Lord, Thou Hast Brought Us to This
Place - Hymns of the Saints # 6 |
| |
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. |
| |
Giver and sustainer of life, we bow in this sacred space
to pray for the people of Maldives. Thank you for their lives and for
our lives that become intertwined in this moment of prayer. Thank you
for the contributions they make to our world, and for the opportunities
that lead them to you and to peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
| |
We pray for families who strive to create havens of love and nurture but
are often tormented by strains and pressures from within and without.
Where human frailty or condition shatters family bonds, inspire us to
create families of choice who offer sanctuary to every child of God. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
| |
We pray for all children, especially those whose childhoods are
threatened by servitude and starvation, inadequate schooling and health
care, warfare and want. May we grow in understanding until we recognize
each child as our own child. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
| |
As this community seeks to walk with Jesus, may they hear the call to be
active disciples in community building. Bless their communications with
honesty and bless them as they rejoice together, mourn together, delight
in each other and make each person’s condition their own. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
| |
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.
|
| The People Pray in Silence |
| |
God who is called by some Allah, by some the Holy One of Israel and by
some the parent of Jesus, help your conflicting children sense your
great love for all your creation. Help us depart from this place ready
to do our part to make peace wherever we are. Amen. |
| |
| Sending Forth |
| |
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.
Now may the God of peace guide us into those paths of righteousness
which lead to peace. Let us go forth and be the peacemakers and
peacekeepers we are called to be. Amen. |
| |
| Ministry of Music |
