Daily Prayer for Peace  | |
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Daily Prayer for Peace
Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Philippines
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Welcome today to this sacred place, and we
greet you in the name of the Prince of Peace, 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 the Philippines in our prayers.
Located in Southeastern Asia, the Philippines attained their
independence in 1946 after being occupied by the Japanese in World War
II. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand Marcos ended in 1986 when a widespread
popular rebellion forced him into exile. The Philippines have had two
electoral presidential transitions since Marcos' removal by "people
power." The government continues to struggle with ongoing Muslim
insurgencies in the south. Conservation measures in this
population-burdened land include reforestation and a logging ban in some
areas. The government continues to make progress in negotiations with
Muslim rebels with a cease-fire in 2003, and it works to provide
political representation and economic development to the Autonomous
Region of Muslim Mindanao.
May our prayers be not only heard but answered to bring peace to our
earth. |
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| Scripture Reading: Psalm 4:6-8 IP |
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So many are asking, “Does good even exist
anymore?”
Let the light of your face, Adonai, shine on us!
You put joy in my heart—a joy greater than being full of bread and new
wine.
In peace I’ll lie down, in peace I will sleep: for you alone, Adonai,
keep me perfectly safe. |
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Prayer for Peace by G. Jerry van Rossum, The
Netherlands |
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God, we gather here today to be with each other and with
you. We come to you out of backgrounds that range from dependence upon
you to independence from you. We come deeply committed to principles of
living in a world where freedom is cherished and we strive to fulfill
the needs, the hopes and dreams for our children, ourselves, our
neighbors and our nations. Even though our history oscillates
consistently between the poles of peace and war, between community and
isolationism, between selflessness and selfishness, between hope and
cynicism, we come to you. You who has shared our triumphs and wept
through our lost opportunities, you simply welcome us back with your
love and compassion. Yet, somehow as we attempt to live out our visions
of equality, opportunity, security, or in other words our, dream of
peace, they slip through our grasp because of our selfish need for
power, control and self-centeredness.
God, we understand our short comings and yet feel secure enough in our
relationship with you to pray for guidance and inspiration to overcome
our inability to transcend self. In order to strive for the slippery
vision of peace, we pray for courage to name and redress injustice. We
ask for wisdom to understand the difference between vindictiveness and
justice. Help us to use the tools of commitment, hope, and love to
stretch out our arms for peace even when peace seems beyond our grasp
and only a painful dream. God, we ask much of you. And in this moment of
tranquil relationship, we dare ask that your kingdom come on earth as it
is in heaven.
God, help us keep the vision alive. Grant us the will to try. Inspire us
to see what can be and recognize what was. It is in the name of Christ
Jesus we come, and in the name of Christ Jesus we pray, and in the name
of Christ Jesus we leave our prayer in your memory. Amen. |
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Hymn - For Beauty of Meadows - Sing
for Peace #14 |
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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 for so many things that give us pleasure:
beaches, mountains, valleys, fruits and flowers. Indeed, all nature
celebrates you, their creator, in desert or rain forest, on mountain or
plain, in summer as well as in our winter land. Thank you, O Lord, our
God, for all you have done to sustain us. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We remember the poor, the dispossessed, the rich, the black, the white,
all the peoples of the earth whatever their nation, color, or creed.
Make us aware of injustice that rampant consumerism fosters. May we all
know peace, Great God. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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May our eyes be open and our spirits willing to serve you by curbing our
wants, O God, so that there will be enough and to spare for all your
people. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Thank you for the people who dwell in the
Philippines, for in them we see a reflection of God. May they know the
peace that you can bring to their lives. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We acknowledge those times when we have been less than you created us to
be. Please forgive us, heal our brokenness, and hear our confessions and
petitions we humbly 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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We honor and praise God for the Prince of Peace. May his life enrich
ours as we align our desires with His plan for peace in our world. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We will 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.
Go in peace and continue the prayers for peace on our earth. |
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| Ministry of Music |
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