Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Equatorial
Guinea
Would you like to learn
more about Equatorial Guinea?
Visit
Lonely
Planet. |
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Welcome today to this sacred
place. We greet you in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 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 remember the people of Equatorial Guinea in our prayers.
Located in Western Africa, Equatorial Guinea is composed of a mainland
portion and five inhabited islands. The mainland was originally
inhabited by Pygmies, but later was controlled by Spain until 1926.
Spanish Guinea, as it was then called, gained independence from Spain in
1968. It is Africa's only Spanish-speaking country. The country is now a
dictatorship with a past full of abuse of human rights. In 1997. an
offshore oil boom resulted in the economy's growth by 71.2%, the first
year of the petroleum bonanza, and it has sustained this phenomenal rate
of growth. It is unlikely, however, that the country's new wealth will
benefit the average citizen.
We are here to pray for help to bring peace to our world. May God bless
us and lead us. |
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| Scripture Reading: James 3:13, 17-18 INT |
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If there are any wise and learned among
you, let them show it by good living—with humility, and with wisdom in
their actions. The wisdom from above… has purity as its essence. It
works for peace; it’s kind and considerate. It’s full of compassion and
shows itself by doing good. Nor is there any trace of partiality or
hypocrisy in it. Peacemakers, when they work for peace, sow the seeds
which will bear fruit in holiness. |
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Prayer for Peace by Tammy Canterbury.
Edgerton. Kansas |
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Yahweh, Jehovah, Abba, God,
You are known by many names yet you are the creator of us all. The
people who speak your name are as diverse as the names themselves. Yet
we are all your children.
Our differences so often blind us to our kinship. Forgive us for this
blindness that keeps us from seeing the beauty and worth of each soul
you have created.
In this day, in this moment, we embrace the beauty of your diverse
creation as represented in the peoples of all the nations of the world.
We open our hearts and call each one brother or sister.
Many of our brothers and sisters live in situations of oppression that
hinder the full expression of their unique talents and gifts. We pray in
earnest for their freedom so that their lives and indeed the world might
be enriched from the open sharing of all they are.
O God, enlighten our minds to the reality that until our brothers and
sisters are free there can be no true peace. Burden us with the
knowledge that peace is only present when the worth of all your children
is affirmed. May this burden move us to respond through the empowerment
of your Spirit so your promise of peace might be fulfilled.
In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace we pray.
Amen. |
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Hymn - When God Created Human Life -
Hymns of the Saints #434 |
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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 all the blessings of this life.
We thank you for friends, family, and those who give particular meaning
to our lives. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We confess to you our shortcomings. In your compassion forgive our sins,
known and unknown. Let us pray now for the special concerns and needs of
those gathered here this day. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for the nations of the world, and in particular on this day the
nation and people of Equitorial Guinea. May they use their resources for
the good of all people. May we all learn to be wise stewards of the
riches you have bestowed upon us. |
| 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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Hear our prayer, O God. Today we offer ourselves as instruments of your
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 remain in the quiet of this place to pray or meditate for
as long as you may wish.
It is our faith that God is the creator of all people and loves each
person and each nation without qualification. May we see the face of
Jesus Christ in all of God's children. May God's grace touch each of us
with a full measure of love and may our lives and voices be a witness to
that divine Presence. Amen |
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| Ministry of Music |
