Community of Christ - Promoting communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.

Powered by Google required graphic

SITE 
 SEARCH 

SITE MAP

CONTRIBUTE ONLINE
Printer
Friendly
Printer Friendly Version
Daily Prayer for Peace
Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.

Map of Iran

Flag of Iran
Iran

Would you like to learn more about Iran?
Visit Lonely Planet.
 

Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of Candle

Invitation

  Thank you for coming to share in this service of prayer for peace. Each day in this sacred place, 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 Iran in our prayers. Located in the Middle East, the country was known as Persia until 1935. Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979. War with Iraq from 1980 to 1988 cost a million Iranian lives and devastated the economy. Iran confronts political and social transformation as some promote liberal ideas, while others hold fast to established Islamic traditions. An estimated seven million Iranians have access to the Internet, which has been used to circumvent government censorship. In December 2003 a massive earthquake struck the southeastern city of Bam, killing more than 30,000 people. In Iran, as in all Islamic societies, art favors the non-representational, the derivative and the stylized. Persian carpets are Iran's most famous cultural export, dating back to the 5th century BC, and are still an integral part of religious and cultural festivals (and the economy).

Christ, whose presence is like daybreak and shines in the darkness of all our pain and fear, calls us to worship. May the light of Christ fill our hearts this day.
 
Scripture Reading: Luke 6:27 & 28, 35 & 36 NIV/The Inclusive New Testament
  But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great. You’ll rightly be called children of the Most High, since God is good even to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be compassionate, as your loving God is compassionate.
 

Prayer for Peace by Enid S. DeBarthe, Lamoni, Iowa

  Divine Creator of all Being, in quiet reverence we humbly acknowledge our joyful gratitude for the life, intelligence, potentiality, agency, and worth of each other and all others. Help us recognize and appreciate our commonalties as well as our diversity of beliefs, values, and achievements.

May each one of us, whoever and wherever we may be, experience your in-dwelling Presence, guiding, comforting, sustaining, healing and enlarging our attitudes and actions.

Help each one of us understand how others feel, care, and need the love we have for them.

May we care enough to earnestly develop the will and skill for truly listening to each other so that we can bring healing and reconciliation in all our relationships.

May we each and all incarnate hope, love, joy and peace in all our interactions so that World Peace may become actuality today and tomorrow for all the peoples of the planet earth. Amen.
 

Hymn - Called by Christ to Love Each Other - Sing for Peace #36

 
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.
  God of all the earth and those who dwell thereon, we give you praise and honor for your goodness and mercy to all creation.
The People Pray in Silence
  We pray for courage to be your presence in actions of justice, compassion, tenderness, and love. And we ask for divine forgiveness when we have not been compassionate or loving or just.
The People Pray in Silence
  Help us not to abuse, neglect, hate, or cause illness so that your peace might reign over all. We thank you, God, that in the midst of incredible difficulties, courage and determination through the Holy Spirit sustain those who suffer.
The People Pray in Silence
  At this time we pray for the people and the leaders of Iran. Fit a blessing to their need and guide them into peaceful pursuits, we humbly ask. Help us not to be a cause of distrust or chaos, we pray.
The People Pray in Silence
  We lift our hearts and minds and voices in honor, praise, and glory to you, Great God of Peace. At this time hear our personal burdens and petitions, we pray.
The People Pray in Silence
  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
  We love you, O God, and we give you honor and praise and glory. Amen.
 
Sending Forth
  We now 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.

Let us go from this place and be the peacemakers we are called to be. Amen.
 
Ministry of Music