Daily Prayer for Peace  | |
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Daily Prayer for Peace
Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Costa Rica
Would you like to learn more about Costa Rica?
Visit
Lonely
Planet. |
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Welcome today to this time of
prayer, and thank you for your presence. 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 Costa Rica in our prayers. Costa
Rica is located in Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama. Costa
Rica has the unique sobriquet of “the only country which doesn’t have an
army;” its army was dismantled in the constitution of 1949, which also
gave women and blacks the vote. This constitution was the result of
civil war during the 1940s. During recent years, Costa Rica has
experienced other upheavals: Hurricane César in 1996 and Hurricane Mitch
in 1998, murmurings of government corruption, disagreements as to how
the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) will impact the
country’s farmers and affect efforts to alleviate the country’s poverty.
The current president, Oscar Arias, received the Nobel Peace Prize in
1987 for his attempts to spread Costa Rica’s example of peace to the
rest of Central America.
As we remember Costa Rica this day, let us also remember other places
where severe conditions make living and earning a livelihood difficult.
As we meet together, let the God of all people guide our worship so that
we may be able to say, "Yes, Lord, it is good to meet with you.
Enlighten us and teach us, we pray." |
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| Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:9 |
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Jesus said, "Those things, which you have
both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God
of peace shall be with you." |
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Prayer for Peace by Betty Gurney, Victoria,
British Columbia, Canada |
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Great Creator, when we view the grandeur of this world
that you have created, we wonder at our arrogance and we pray that we
will humble ourselves and rejoice in your power.
This day, Lord, our praises rise like eagles and beyond our normal
mortal realm. The beauty, the bounty, the immensity of this world fills
us with awe. We pray that we will be fully aware of our stewardship over
all that has been created. We ask, Oh God, that with our abundance we
will be aware of all those who live in poverty in this land and all
other lands. Move us to share in whatever way we can. Help those of us
who have much, keep our wants under control so that we might be generous
in our giving.
Our thanks seem inadequate for so great a gift but we pray that our
love for you will overflow into action, action that will spread like
fire, action that will bring the hope of peace to many.
We pray, too, that your Holy Spirit will be recognized by those in
places of power, that they will be guided to work for peace in whatever
land they dwell. The people of the world need peace, they need rest,
they need comfort, they need their homes to be safe.
May the purpose to which this Temple was dedicated be enhanced by the
workings of your spirit, the devotion of those who work from here, and
the combined prayers and efforts of the people of the world. Our needs
are great Lord, but our trust is in your Word. Help the people of your
world achieve Peace. Amen. |
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Hymn - We Are Called to Be Peacemakers -
Sing for Peace #23 |
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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 praise you, God of all nations, for your mercy is
vast, and your greatness beyond our comprehension. In peace we pray to
you, Lord God, and dare to ask your blessing for all people in their
daily life and work; for our families, friends, and neighbors, and for
those who are alone. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We especially pray for your people in Costa Rica this day. Be with the
leader of this country and guide his actions that they bring peace and
justice to the people of this nation. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We remember, and ask your guidance, for all who sorrow, fear, or have
special needs. May we follow your example and minister in your stead. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We confess our shortcomings. Forgive us, we pray, and may we go from
here strengthened in body and mind for the task before us to be your
peacemakers in our world. |
| 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 remember the concerns and needs of those gathered here. Lord, hear
our prayers, and send your Holy Spirit to be with us as we seek to know
and do your will. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We conclude our service with Ministry of Music. Please
feel free to remain to pray or meditate in the quiet of this place for
as long as you may wish.
Now may the God of peace guide us into those paths of righteousness
which lead to peace. Let us go forth and be the peacemakers and
peacekeepers we are called to be. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
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