Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Saudi Arabia
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Welcome—we greet you in the
name of the God who has called us to worship together. 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 Saudi Arabia in our prayers. Located
in the Middle East, the discovery of oil in the 1930s transformed Saudi
Arabia. Below the arid desert landscape which covers 95% of the land,
oil has made this desert kingdom one of the wealthiest nations in the
world. Saudi Arabia holds 25% of the world’s proven reserve of oil. The
mismatch between the job skills of Saudi graduates and the needs of the
job market, as well as constraints on employment for Saudi women, are
reasons for the large number of foreign workers. Unemployment for Saudi
males is high. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an
economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all major
governmental concerns.
Let us unite as one in supplication to our God for guidance in
peacemaking. The God of peace will be with us. |
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| Scripture Reading: Psalm 72:1-7 The Inclusive
Psalms |
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O God, give your anointed one your
judgment—
and
your justice.
Teach your chosen one to govern your people rightly
and
bring justice to the oppressed.
The mountains will bring the people peace
and the
hills justice!
Your anointed will defend the oppressed among the people,
and
save the children of the poor.
The reign of the anointed will endure
as long
as the sun and moon—
throughout the generations.
The rule of the chosen one will be
like
rain coming down on the meadow,
like
showers watering the earth.
Justice will flower through the days, and profound peace,
until
the moon be no more. |
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Prayer for Peace by Natalie Kent, Queensland,
Australia |
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God of the earth:
Why is there so much anger in the world? Why is there so much hatred and
frustration and war? Why? Why? Why?
We ask these questions many times and maybe the only answer we can come
up with is that this is life and that we can't change it. But we can.
There must be a reason why life and people can be so cruel.
Help us take the time to discover the reason and solve the problems so
that harmony can return.
God, help us listen. We know we cannot fix the problems of everyone, but
help us heal the wounds of those who touch our lives.
Help us look beyond our own lives and step into another's shoes. Help us
listen without advice, to support them as they find the right avenues of
ministry.
Help us talk with others, listen to others, and heal others. Help us
start afresh.
Help us do something--now--before the world forgets that you are God.
And to you we give the honor and the praise and the glory. Amen. |
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Hymn - Rise Up, O Saints of God - Hymns of
the Saints #378 |
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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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Great God, Creator of all that is or has ever been, we
praise you. We thank you for all the blessings of this life: for family,
friends, and those who give particular meaning to our lives. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We confess our shortcomings before you, even our sins that prevent us
from being the persons you created us to be. Forgive us, we humbly pray,
and guide us into paths of truer discipleship. Help us to be the
peacemakers we yearn to be. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We lift up before you the country of Saudi Arabia and its inhabitants.
May they know peace among themselves and with others. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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May our desires be a reflection of your plan for all creation as we ask
your blessing on our needs and concerns this day. |
| 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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Hear our prayer, O God, as we offer ourselves to be instruments of your
peace. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We 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.
Jesus came to teach us of the love of the Father. The wonder of that
gift astounds us. Go now and share that love in peace, and serve the
Lord. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
