Daily Prayer for Peace  | |
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Daily Prayer for Peace
Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Guinea
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more about Guinea?
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Lonely
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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We welcome you today to this
time of prayer for peace, and we are so blessed with your presence and
are grateful for it. 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 Guinea in our prayers. Located in
Western Africa, Guinea was a French colony before independence in 1958.
In 1991 a new constitution called for democratization, and in 1993 held
their first multiparty elections. But the country still suffers from a
regime that has turned it’s back on liberty, and continues to embrace
Maoist ideology. In Guinea you can trek through beautiful highland
scenery and track wildlife in the jungles of the southeast. Mining for
diamonds and agriculture are central to it’s economy.
Let us not forget the part we must play in the search for peace in our
time and for our day. We pray to you, Lord God, that you will receive
us, in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. |
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| Scripture Reading: Psalm 34:15, 17-18 The
Inclusive Psalms |
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The eyes of Our God are on those who do
justice,
and God’s ears are open to
their cry.
The just cry out, and Our God hears,
and saves them from all their
troubles.
Our God is close to the brokenhearted
and rescues those whose spirits
are crushed. |
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Prayer for Peace by Gail Mengel, Independence,
Missouri |
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O God, our companion, friend, and shepherd through all
ages and with all peoples, we come in the safety and peace of this
environment knowing that so many stand this day with open arms of pain.
We believe your love is expressed in every language and in every land,
even though some do not listen and assert their own personal gains
despite the destruction and persecution. Some do not name you; while
others abide with you daily.
We doubt and we wonder. Then we meet with the extraordinary and find
ourselves face to face with adversaries, enemies, friends, and loved
ones. We see the familiar and the knowledge of you in our beings. We see
that which is precious and common in each of us. We are refreshed and
renewed in our belief that you are our shepherd, and you will lead, if
we will but follow. We can no longer deny the dignity of each created
life, precious in your sight.
We pray this day for all people in this world who walk in shadows and
dark valleys. We pray for children who are hungry, lost, afraid,
forsaken, and blinded by hollow vision and hopelessness. We pray for
women who will be forever damaged in body and spirit because of
injustice, mutilation and tyranny. We pray for men who have used power
and position for self-gratification. We pray for all the men, women, and
children who have suffered as victims of aggressors. In particular, we
pray this day, God, for those who dare speak on behalf of all, even
ourselves. May we be freed from the shackles and traditions that bind
us.
Too often we question the power or influence of one voice. But when we
call out, in the midst of our doubting, we hear and know that we cannot
remain silent. You have called us to be peacemakers. You have taught us
that the lion can lie down with the lamb, and that a little child can
lead us all. We can bring the diverse colors and cultures together in
your name.
May we have the faith to believe in the opportunities that are in our
hands. May we believe in the power of your love to heal this world and
to abide in the hearts of all peoples. We want to be your partners. We
ask you to continue to help us find the shared vision for peaceful ways
to interact and respond.
Bless us all: servants, rulers, leaders, followers, mothers, fathers,
sisters, brothers, children, risk takers, doubters, nonbelievers. Bless
us as your children. Make us responsive to your purposes. May the
testimony of your son, Jesus Christ, give vitality and meaning to all,
that we might find ways to eliminate barriers and work together to heal
the nations, and one day see your world at peace. We pray in the faith
and knowledge of Jesus Christ. AMEN. |
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Hymn - Weave - Sing a New Song #51 |
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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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As we are together praying for peace, let us be truly
with each other. Let us be aware of the common source of being to us all
and to all living things. We praise you, Great God. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Let us pray that all persons realize they are brothers and sisters, all
nourished from the same source of life. May we ourselves cease to be the
cause of suffering to each other. Let us plead with ourselves to live in
a way which will not deprive other living beings of air, water, food,
shelter, or the chance to live. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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With humility, with awareness of the existence of life, and of the
sufferings that are going on around us, let us pray for the
establishment of peace in our hearts and on earth. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Heal our brokenness, forgive our sins, and lead us into paths of peace,
we humbly pray. This day we especially ask for your blessings on the
people and the nation of Guinea. Their needs are so many, please show us
the ways that we can help the nation of Guinea, and lead them in the
paths of peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We would also remember those who hunger and thirst for food, knowledge,
friends, shelter, or clothing. |
| 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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May we carry the truth of peace from this place as we seek to be your
messengers of peace in the world. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We 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 may wish.
Let us now answer that call of peace that is generated by Jesus the
Christ, and become peacemakers for our time. Go in peace, and the God of
peace will bless you. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
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