Daily Prayer for Peace  | |
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Daily Prayer for Peace
Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Lesotho
Would you like to learn
more about Lesotho?
Visit
Lonely
Planet.
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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It is good to welcome you to
this sacred place to join together in worship and prayer.
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 Lesotho in our prayers. Located in
southern Africa, Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon
independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. Constitutional government
was restored in 1993 after 23 years of military rule. In 1998, violent
protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted
an intervention by South African and Botswanan military forces under the
Southern African Development Community. Constitutional reforms have
since restored political stability; peaceful parliamentary elections
were held in 2002. Water is Lesotho's major natural resource. Completion
of a large hydropower plant in 1998 helps the economy expand through the
sale of water to South Africa.
Thank you for coming to share in this time of prayer for peace. True
oneness of mind, heart and spirit is the priceless gift of God's Spirit.
This spirit gives strength and understanding. God's spirit of peace
molds us, heals us, and uses us in service to others. |
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| Scripture Reading: Luke 18:1-8 INT |
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Jesus told the disciples a parable on the
necessity of praying always and not losing heart: “Once there was a
judge in a certain city who feared no one—not even God. A woman in that
city who had been widowed kept coming to the judge and saying, ‘Give me
legal protection from my opponent.’ For at time the judge refused, but
finally the judge thought, ‘I care little for God or people, but this
woman won’t leave me alone. I’d better give her the protection she
seeks, or she’ll keep coming and wear me out!” Jesus said, “Listen to
what this corrupt judge is saying. Won’t God then do justice to the
chosen who call out day and night? Will God delay long over them? I tell
you, God will give them swift justice. |
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Prayer for Peace by Guy W. Stewart,
Independence, Missouri |
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Gracious God, we enter your presence with joy and
praise, for this our way to express our real feelings and our deepest
needs.
Lord, we come to you in confession, for we sin and cannot live without
your forgiveness. We come to you in praise, for there is no other name
worthy of our adoration. We come seeking you, for our paths lead to
despair. We come in joy, for your grace heals, fills, and guides us.
Make us one with each other and all others.
Lord of life, our souls thirst for this day. We long for a breath of
fresh air, our minds have grown stale and our hearts weak. Your son has
promised us an abundant life and we have forgotten that a promise
becomes a reality only when we reach out to receive it. May this service
of worship be our time for reaching out.
Lord, we receive your presence with joy, your forgiveness with
thanksgiving, and your love with wonder. We rejoice with all who seek
your truth and live in your spirit. May our worship be a time to open
new visions. May it be our opportunity to discover new purposes. Lead
our discovery we pray.
Eternal Father, in the spirit of peace which has been generated by your
son, Jesus Christ, The Prince of Peace, we thank you for creating this
fellowship of worship and service. We thank you for high ideals, for
noble commitments, and the will you grant us for sharing the pleasure of
giving. We thank you for all who worship in the spirit of peace, for
this truly is sanctuary of renewal and rest, and a way for us to
communicate our deepest needs. May we always give praise and
thanksgiving to you, Lord of all creation. In the name of your blessed
son, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace we pray. Amen |
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Hymn - Jesus, Name Above All Names -
Sing a New Song #25 Sing twice |
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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 give thanks to you Lord God, and praise your mighty
works of peace. We desire to be the body of Christ, and ask for your
strength and wisdom to seek his ways. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for all people in their daily life and work: for our families,
friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone. We pray for this
community, the nations, and especially for the people and the nation of
Lesotho. We pray for all victims of hunger, fear, injustice and
oppression. We pray for all who are in danger, who sorrow, are sick or
friendless. Be near to them, we ask. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for peace and unity among the leaders of religions and nations,
and for all who work for justice, freedom, and peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for the special needs of those here gathered. Guide us, we
humbly ask. We confess to you our shortcomings. In your compassion,
forgive us our sins. |
| 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 thank you for our many blessings this day and pray that your Holy
Spirit will be with us as we seek to know and do your will. In the name
of the Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We 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.
Go together now in peace and become the peacemakers we are called to be. |
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| Ministry of Music |
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