Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Cambodia
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more about Cambodia?
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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 Cambodia in our prayers. Cambodia is
located in Southeastern Asia. The United Nations-sponsored elections in
1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy after the war through
1970’s. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government,
but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of
another coalition government and renewed political stability.
Nation-wide local elections are scheduled for 2007 and national
elections for 2008. Coming into the 21st century, Cambodia enjoys
relative stability, but subsistence farming employs 75 percent of the
workforce and many live in poverty.
Great God, enter into our worship and guide our hearts and minds to your
will. Amen. |
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| Scripture Reading: Zechariah 8:16-17 NRSV |
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These are the things that you shall do:
Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are
true and make for peace, do not devise evil in your hearts against one
another, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate,
says the Lord. |
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Prayer for Peace by Douglas Porter, Park Holme,
South Australia, Australia |
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Lord of Creation, all praise and glory unto you who
created humankind in your image and gave unto us stewardship over the
earth. Forgive us for our failure to adequately keep that
responsibility. Lord, we have failed in so many ways. We have failed to
come fully into your image, to accept the challenge to follow your ways
and to obey your commandments. We have failed to respond to that call to
change our ways given to us through the centuries through your chosen
prophets. And because of this, we have failed to live in harmony with
each other, in our families, our society, our culture, and between
cultures, and even with our environment.
And now, O God, the world bleeds because of our neglect so that the
peoples of the world cry out to you in their suffering and pain. Hear
their cries, O Lord, we pray, and comfort them in their time of need.
Soften the attitudes in hearts and minds of the leaders of the world
that peace and harmony might indeed come to all people. Show us Lord how
to help heal the pain and to ease the suffering in our midst, and to
fulfil your will for us in the days of our probation.
The earth also cries out in pain as humankind plunders it motivated by
selfishness and greed. All creation calls and condemns us for our
failure to be good stewards over all that has been placed in our care.
Lord, you have challenged all of us to become your instruments of peace.
May we respond to that challenge and accept the responsibility that is
laid upon us all, also remembering that our failure to respond causes
you to suffer even more. Strengthen us for the task, O God, we pray in
the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Amen. |
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Hymn - Forgive Us, Lord - Hymns of the
Saints #103 |
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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
thank you for your mercy, your goodness, and your plan for all of
creation to be at peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for divine forgiveness when we have not been compassionate or
loving or just. We pray for courage to be your presence in the world. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Hear our prayer, Merciful God, as we pray for others who are victims of
abuse, neglect, hatred, and illness. We pray for those who suffer the
destruction and desolation of war or human selfishness. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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This day we hold to the light of God's love and healing the people of
Cambodia. Help them to know peace in their land. |
| 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 lift our hearts and minds and voices in honor, praise, and glory to
you, O God of Peace. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We conclude our service today with Ministry of Music. We
invite you to leave quietly or remain to pray or meditate for as long as
you may wish.
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts
and minds. Go forth and serve in peace. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
