Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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San Marino
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Lonely
Planet. |
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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It is good to welcome you today
to this sacred place. Thank you for sharing in worship with us. 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 San Marino in our prayers. Located
in southern Europe, an enclave in Central Italy, San Marino is the third
smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco) and also claims
to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was
founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in 301 A.D. San Marino's
foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy. Social and political
trends in the republic also track closely with those of its larger
neighbor. San Marino takes pride in its finely minted coins, ceremonial
guard, and postage stamps. Well-preserved castles and sweeping vistas of
the Adriatic coast enchant 3.5 million visitors a year.
Let us contemplate the symbol found in the candle of peace, for Christ
is our peace. In Christ God made all one and broke down the dividing
wall between them to create out of us a new humanity, thereby making
peace. So Christ came and proclaimed the good news; peace to you who
were afar off, and peace to those nearby. |
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| Scripture Reading: I Peter 3:10-12 INT |
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Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep the tongue from evil
and the lips from deceitful
talk.
They must turn from evil to do good,
they must seek peace and pursue
it.
For the eyes of Our God
are on the just,
and the ears of Our God
attend to their prayers. |
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Prayer for Peace by Everett Graffeo,
Independence, Missouri |
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Lord, we are filled with wonder
and bursting with joy at your invitation.
We feel awe in your presence
and sense that this moment
has some eternal significance.
Our pilgrimage wends its way to this holy place.
We hear your words,
“Welcome home!”
Seasons and faces pass in review.
People act as if the world and history
have slipped out of Your hands.
They act violently with hysterical reactions.
They risk everything
to hold on to their brittle world.
They know no peace
They have no home.
But with uplifted voice, we cry out
Hope! Peace! Life! Love!
We live in a grace-filled community
where the winds of love and peace blow
as a gentle whisper in our hearts.
We see many that are responding.
The evidence is before our eyes.
We rejoice in Your triumph.
There are many who stand in the breach,
Brave souls who live in the tension
of hope and unfulfilled longing.
We see eternity unfolding around us;
The enemies of light have failed,
Hope blossoms in the midst of the earth.
Justice is the breaking light on the eastern horizon.
The reign of peace is the promise of the new day.
You do dry the tears in the eyes of the oppressed.
Death does disappear in your presence.
Persons are restored to new life.
Endings do become beginnings.
Persons do smile again.
Your peace does reign.
Hope is justified.
Love does have the final word.
Teach us the words
that will give voice to the hope that is in us.
From the thousand openings of our wounded bodies,
Release the notes of Your triumphant song.
Attune our ears to hear
the alleluia chorus of future generations.
Make our world
the world of your Kingdom of Peace! |
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Hymn - God of Grace and God of Glory -
Hymns of the Saints #419 |
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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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We thank you, God, for your many blessings; for friends,
family, and those who give particular meaning to our lives. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for San Marino, its leaders and people. May they know the peace
that only you may bring to their lives. And may they respect their
neighbors as they respect themselves. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for those who are oppressed by poverty, disease, exploitation,
and prejudice. May all realize their worth as your children. We also
pray for those who are so caught up in the desire to achieve success
that they have lost the true meaning of life. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We confess to you our shortcomings. In your mercy, we ask forgiveness
for our sins. Let us also pray now for the special concerns and needs of
those who are gathered here 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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Rest in the knowledge that you are called to be instruments of peace. Go
out with joy and be full of peace. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We will now 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.
Now may the God of peace, and love, and hope, be with you as you go from
this place to answer God’s call. We are called to be the peacemakers and
peacekeepers in our world. Let us be true to our calling. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
