Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Liberia
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Welcome, and thank you for
joining today for 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 Liberia in our prayers. Liberia is
located in western Africa. In August 2003, a comprehensive peace
agreement ended 14 years of civil war and prompted the resignation of
the former president. The National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL)
- composed of rebels, government, and civil society groups - assumed
control in October 2003. The United Nations Mission in Liberia, which
maintains a strong presence throughout the country, completed a
disarmament program for former combatants in late 2004, but the security
situation is still volatile and the process of rebuilding the social and
economic structure of this war-torn country remains sluggish.
As we leave the outside world for a few moments we will not forget our
duties there. As we worship together, we will be refreshed to serve anew
as peacemakers for our God. |
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| Scripture Reading: Isaiah 32:17-18 KJ |
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And the work of righteousness shall be
peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for
ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure
dwellings and in quiet resting places. |
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Prayer for Peace by Ken Simpson, Independence,
Missouri |
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Gracious and loving God, we have gathered as we live: in
the name of our Lord and Savior, the Prince of Peace.
We gather, in part, because the gentle touch of your Holy Spirit has, on
occasion, brought to our daily existence a peace that has fulfilled the
deepest longings of our troubled souls.
We gather, seeking again that peace, not for ourselves only, but to
better understand how we may become instruments of your peace: to share
with those who know you not, and are unaware that this peace will not
only transform their lives, but is the power by which you desire to
transform the powers of this world into the kingdom of your Eternal
Presence.
We gather in this place to symbolize our unity before you, and our
willingness both to receive the blessing of your peace and to go forth
as ambassadors for peace in your world to witness having been in your
presence.
We gather to acknowledge the many places which are beyond our personal
stewardship, and to affirm our faith in the ministry of your Holy Spirit
to respond in those places and in those ways to prepare both lives and
nations for fuller expressions of your Divine Love.
We gather to experience the strength of your presence and to go forth in
that strength, to demonstrate the power of your peace in life, in word,
and in deed.
In the name of the One who is our peace, Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen. |
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Hymn - Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus -
Hymns of the Saints #201 |
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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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Lord of all space, we thank you for knowing us. We thank
you for family, friends, those who will be friends, the earth and all
its bounty. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We confess that we are less than you created us to be and humbly ask
forgiveness. Thank you for your plan of salvation through your Son,
Jesus Christ. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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On this day, please hear our prayers concerning the people and the
nation of Liberia. May they be blessed with your guidance to bring peace
to their land and people. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We lament the causes of injustice and seek enlightenment that we may
understand better our part in peace for the world. We would not forget
the need for peace in ourselves, our families, our nation, and our
church. Hear our concerns, we pray. |
| 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. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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May we find the peace of Jesus, our savior, is our prayer. 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.
Seek peace, and pursue it as you leave this place. We are called to
peace this day. With God's blessing, we will be peacemakers. |
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| Ministry of Music |
