Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Latvia
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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 Latvia in our prayers. Latvia is
located between Estonia and Lithuania in Asia. It was occupied by the
Germans during World War I, and the Soviets in 1940 and the Germans
again in 1941. During this occupation, the Jewish population was
virtually wiped out. There are still a number of unresolved issues,
including tensions between Latvia and Russia regarding their mutual
border, but today, Latvia has moved to embrace the free market, and the
general mood of the country is optimistic.
As we light the Candle of Peace, let us reflect on the absence of peace
and its effect on our world. (silence) Now let us worship together as we
seek new ways to pursue peace and dedicate ourselves to ongoing peace. |
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| Scripture Reading: I John 3:14, 16-17 NRSV |
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We know that we have passed from death to life because
we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death. We know love
by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our
lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the
world’s goods and see a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? |
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Prayer for Peace by Judy M. Kramer,
Independence, Missouri |
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God of all creation, I approach you today, mindful of the victims of
war and praying that the power of your spirit will work within all
people to bring peace to the world.
God of all creation, hear the cries of your people:
The cries of infants who suckle but receive no nourishment,
The cries of toddlers who have no energy to play,
The cries of children who reach out to relief workers for food,
The cries of those who receive none,
The cries of starving mothers who watch their children starve.
God of all creation, hear the cries of your people:
The cries of those maimed by weapons of war,
The limbless, the sightless, the grotesque,
The cries of those who cannot purge from their minds the witnessing of
other’s injuries,
The cries of children watching their parents die,
The cries of parents watching their children die,
The cries of those commissioned to heal, finding the task is too great.
God of all creation, hear the cries of your people:
The cries of those who wage war, but know not why,
The cries of the orphaned, the starving, the homeless,
The cries of those who are totally alone,
The cries of those who are bereft of hope,
The cries of those who work for peace, but begin to despair.
God of all creation, hear our cries.
Amen. |
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Hymn - Lord Jesus, of You I Will Sing -
Sing for Peace #31 |
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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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Life is never so full and free as when we engage in the full and
free experience of praising God. We thank God for the intervening power
at work in our world. Grant that our eyes may be opened, and our ears
that the sights and sounds of God's mighty works may call forth greater
work by us. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for peace in Latvia. May the peacemakers there feel your
presence as they work towards your peace. One by one we name our
extended family as we marvel at the ministry of God's Holy Spirit in
their lives. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Personal deficiencies and lack of resources hinder our involvement in
the cause of peace. We seek personal forgiveness and a keener sense of
what is important and urgent in our living. Lead us as we seek your
will. |
| 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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Mighty God of the galaxies, help us to rejoice and live our lives in the
joyful investment in your cause. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We 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.
Go in peaceful assurance of God's love for you and the world into which
you are sent. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
