Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Czech Republic
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more about Czech Republic?
Visit
Lonely
Planet. |
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Welcome today to this sacred
place. 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 the Czech Republic in our prayers.
Located in Central Europe, Czechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere
of influence after World War II., Czechoslovakia regained its freedom
through a peaceful "Velvet Revolution," with the collapse of Soviet
authority in 1989. The Czech Republic made a strong recovery with
stringent economic policies, booming tourism and a solid industrial
base. Problems remain, however: there is an acute shortage of affordable
housing, steeply rising crime, severe pollution and a deteriorating
health system.
As we gaze upon our
lighted candle, let us think upon other times and places where God’s
Truth has burst
forth as the way from darkness into light. |
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| Scripture Reading: Psalms 130:1-5 The Inclusive
Psalms |
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Out of the depths I cry to you, Adonai!
God, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice, my cries for
mercy!
If you kept track of our sins, Adonai,
who could stand before you?
But with you is forgiveness,
and for this we revere you.
So I wait for you, Adonai—
my soul waits,
and in your word I place my
trust. |
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Prayer for Peace by Bruce Lindgren,
Independence, Missouri |
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Our Gracious God,
We pause at this moment to offer a prayer that peace may reign within
your creation. As we contemplate the world you have made, we stand in
wonder of its beauty and its starkness; of its power and its
tranquility; of its mighty rushing winds and its moments and places of
quietness.
We recognize that we, the people you have created to live here, have
expressed both the best and the worst of the potential you have placed
in us. We have attempted to dominate others for our own ends, and we
have made great sacrifices on behalf of other people; we have taken far
more than our fair share of the earth's resources, and we have striven
to live simply; we have stood by and allowed others to suffer, and we
have given our own lives on behalf of those we have not even known.
Give us eyes, O God, to see ourselves in the light of your vision--eyes
to see ourselves as we truly are and also as we may become. Give us ears
to hear--ears to hear ourselves as we sound to others and ears to hear
the deep expressions of another's heart. Give us minds to
understand--minds that perceive things as they are and minds that
perceive things that are possible. Give us hearts with which to
love--hearts that forgive offenses against ourselves and hearts that
inspire us to reach out to others.
Give us peace, O God, and make us agents of your peace. Let us act with
love, justice, and true insight. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ
we pray. Amen. |
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Hymn - Beloved Community of God - Hymns of
the Saints #414 |
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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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It is a most wonderful feeling to hear "make yourself at
home." It is beyond human telling when it is God who welcomes us with
these heartwarming words, "Make yourself at home."
Thank you, God for your welcome and opening arms to us always. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Let the counsel, "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand" call us to
a specific response to the ministry of the Lord Jesus in our lives. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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The well being of our friends and family are important to God and to us.
We ask for your presence in our lives. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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This day we pray for the country of the Czech Republic. May the people
and their leaders learn to know and teach peace. |
| 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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Gracious God, our words seldom truly express our heart's desires. There
is a feeling that just beyond our words lay a truer expression of our
prayers. Hear that prayer, O God, and help us to discipline our hearts
and our minds that our prayers come ever closer to expressing your will.
Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We will conclude our service today with Ministry of
Music. You are invited to remain to pray or meditate in the quiet of
this place for as long as you may wish.
Just as the woman in the crowd was healed when she touched the hem of
Jesus' garment, may people be healed as they touch you. May you be
healed as you touch them. Go and heal, in Jesus' name. So shall you be
healed. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
