Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Rwanda
Would you like to learn
more
about Rwanda?
Visit
Lonely
Planet. |
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. 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 Rwanda in our prayers. Located in Central
Africa, this tiny, land-locked country became independent in 1962.
Ethnic and civil strife have torn at the country for decades now, with
hundreds of thousands dead on both sides of the conflict and millions
more fleeing the country. Despite substantial international assistance
and political reforms - including Rwanda's first local elections in
March 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative
elections in August and September 2003, respectively - the country
continues to struggle to boost investment and agricultural output, and
ethnic reconciliation is complicated.
Today, Christians celebrate Epiphany. May the lighted candle represent
the brightly shining star that the wise men followed as we follow the
Prince of Peace and his light that shines in our hearts this day. |
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| Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 163:7d |
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Scripture, prophetic guidance, knowledge,
and discernment in the faith community must walk hand in hand to reveal
the true will of God. Follow this pathway, which is the way of the
Living Christ, and you will discover more than sufficient light for the
journey ahead. |
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Prayer for Peace by Linda Schall, Bath,
Michigan |
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Lord, show me the way to bring peace to this troubled
community that I live in. Awaken the concern in my soul so that I may
not stand by unaware of my surroundings. Let me shout my disapproval of
the violence and drugs through compassion. Give me the courage to listen
to people in their times of confusion. Help me to give them the answers
they are in search of to make wise decisions. Show me the way to be a
good friend.
Remind us to pray continually for those in other countries who live in
the midst of everyday violence and oppression. Open our eyes to other
ways of promoting peace. We feel there is no way for us to help them
because of the distance between our countries, but we know prayer
changes things. Let us pray and listen for your voice to guide us to new
possibilities to help.
Fashion us into peacemakers. Let our labors begin today in our own
communities.
In Christ's name we pray for peace. Amen |
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Hymn - Silvery Star, Precious Star - Hymns
of the Saints #239 |
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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 Persons, we praise you for the Prince of
Peace and your plan of Salvation. We worship you and give thanks for our
bountiful blessings. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We confess our shortcomings and ask your forgiveness for those times we
have not been the persons you created us to be. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We remember the lonely, the oppressed, the victims of greed, and those
who have not. We also especially remember those who have been victims of
discrimination for whatever reason. Show us also the ways in which we
may reach out to those around us and pull them into the light of your
love. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We remember today our brothers and sisters in Rwanda. Truly this is a
place that needs the light of your love. Help them to heal the bitter
wounds that divide them and show them the ways that they may live in
peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We hold up before you the concerns of people
gathered here this day. Hear our prayer, O God, as today we offer
ourselves to be instruments of your peace in our families, our city, our
nation, and our world. |
| 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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Send the light of your Son to be in our lives this day. 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 for 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 may wish.
As we have been called by the Spirit of God, and endowed by the power of
God, let us go from this place to be makers of peace. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
