Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Netherlands
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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 the Netherlands in our prayers.
Located in Western Europe, the Netherlands is a modern, industrialized
nation and a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a
founding member of NATO and the European Community, and participated in
the introduction of the euro in 1999. By 2010 the Netherlands hopes to
have reduced environmental pollution by 70 percent in their country.
Thank you for joining us in this time of prayer. It is good to take the
time from our busy day to remember the needs of the world, and pray for
the peace that will unite all peoples as one. |
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| Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:17-19 adapted |
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And Christ came and preached peace to you
who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through Christ we
both have access in one Spirit to God. So then we are no longer
strangers and sojourners, but are citizens with the saints and members
of the household of God.
Through Christ we are reconciled to God and to each other. |
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Prayer for Peace by Pam Robison, Independence,
Missouri |
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Bringer of peace and reconciliation—
As we sit in this place dedicated to the pursuit of peace, we are
reminded of chaos in the world…people struggling with storms of life.
Physical storms…emotional storms…spiritual ones.
None of us are immune.
Yet in
many ways, many of us are fortunate. We have shelter, clothing, food.
Most of us do not worry about where or how our needs will be met.
But
even so, there are those among us who struggle with
guilt…anger…fear…resentment.
In this place and at this time, help us to be reminded of our unity—that
what affects one person affects each of us. The needless death of any
part of your creation diminishes each of us.
And we
are all guilty. It is easy to sit in complacency—but I know that many of
my actions—actions I don’t want to give up—have a negative action toward
bringing peace.
Forgive
us, Lord. Help us respond to the needs around us in ways that bring
healing and peace—that help restore the earth—that bring reconciliation.
In the name of the Prince of Peace, Amen. |
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Hymn - O May Thy Church Build Bridges -
Hymns of the Saints #431
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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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Great God, we praise you for knowing us, a small portion
of your creation. We thank you for all the blessings of this life: for
family, friends, and those who give particular meaning to our lives. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We confess our shortcomings before you, even our sins that prevent us
from being the persons you created us to be. Forgive us, we humbly pray,
and guide us into paths of true servanthood. Help us to be the
peacemakers we yearn to be. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We lift up before you the country of the Netherlands and its
inhabitants. May they know peace among themselves and with others. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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May our desires be a reflection of your plan for all creation, as we ask
your blessing on our needs and concerns this day. |
| 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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Great God, we hopefully will experience the feelings of peace during
these gatherings.
May we pass that on to whom we meet in our lives, so that they will be
touched in their
lives with your Spirit, and they again may pass on this message and
feeling of peace.
In the name of the Prince of Peace we pray. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We will conclude our service today with Ministry of
Music. We invite you to remain in the quiet of this place to pray or
meditate for as long as you wish.
As we have considered our place in the building of peace among the
peoples of the world, may we now go forth to be peace builders in the
name of the One who sends us, even Jesus the Christ. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
