Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Syria
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more about Syria?
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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We greet you in the name of the
Prince of Peace who calls us to worship. 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 Syria in our prayers. Located in the
Middle East, Syria was part of the Ottoman Empire for four centuries.
The country came under French mandate in 1920 and gained independence in
1946. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights to
Israel. In recent years, Syria and Israel have held occasional peace
talks over the return of the Golan Heights. A rapidly growing
population, industrial growth, and water pollution are major issues.
Internationally, Syria's hardline stance against Israel over the return
of the Golan Heights stand in the way of improved relations with the
West. Hospitality is a cornerstone of Arab life. Wherever you go in
Syria, you are likely to be invited into people's homes for food or a
cup of tea.
For your peace, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the world, for the well-being of all peoples, and for
the safety of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For our mental, spiritual, and physical well-being, let us pray to the
Lord. |
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| Scripture Reading: Isaiah 58:6-12 NRSV |
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Is not this what I require of you, to loose
the fetters of injustice, to untie the knots of the yoke, and set free
those who have been crushed? Is it not sharing your food with the
hungry, taking the homeless poor into your house, clothing the naked
when you meet them and never evading a duty to your kinsfolk? If you
cease to pervert justice, to point the accusing finger and lay false
charges, if you feed the hungry from your own plenty and satisfy the
needs of the wretched, then your light will rise like dawn out of
darkness and your dusk be like noonday. The Lord will be your guide
continually and will give you strength of limb. You will be like a
well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. You shall be
called Rebuilder of broken walls, Restorer of houses in ruins. |
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Prayer for Peace by Steve Ferguson,
Independence, Missouri |
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Gracious God, ruler and sustainer of all that is, was,
and shall ever be; we praise thy holy name.
We find ourselves torn asunder by war, greed, and avarice. We find
ourselves separated from thy loving presence, and we cry out with faith
and hope to be set free of the chasms we have put between us. Redeem us,
O God, to thy greatest adventure of all: the adventure of establishing
thy kingdom of peace.
Lord, in this time of prayer, we seek strength and solutions for
overcoming the task ahead. As the ancient prophet said, "The hearts of
the fathers shall be turned to the children, and the hearts of the
children to their fathers." We pray that the hearts of all people shall
be turned to each other as brother and sister. And we pray that we shall
all be turned to thee, Gracious God, as our redeemer and as our friend.
In the quietness of this moment we are filled with everlasting joy. Such
a joy testifies that Jesus lives, for it is in his name that we offer
this prayer. Amen. |
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Hymn - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
- Hymns of the Saints #250 |
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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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Creator God, we praise you and give you thanks because
you not only set into motion all creation, but you continue to guide and
direct and sustain that creation. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We ask divine forgiveness of our selfishness and pride which has made us
less than you created us to be. Please teach us of your peace, we pray. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Many times a small band of people has made a great change in society
that has overcome the complacent majority. Help us to be such "changers"
as we work for peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We would also remember, and ask your continued guidance for the nation
of Syria. We thank you for all people there who are seeking peace. May
they be guided even as the ancient wise men were guided by the star.
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| The People Pray in Silence |
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Guide all earth’s people so that we will use
your creation in a just and equitable way. We desire that none go
hungry, cold, or lonely. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We bring to you our special needs and
concerns at this time. Hear us we pray. |
| 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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May your name be praised, Great God of all nations. In the name of the
Prince of Peace we pray. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We conclude our service 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.
And now, Great God, direct us and guide us into paths of peace, for we
truly desire to be peacemakers and peacekeepers. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
