Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Ukraine
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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 Ukraine in our prayers. Ukraine, a
former part of Russia, is located on the Black Sea. Following World War
I, the country had a chance to gain its independence, but civil war
broke out, and Ukraine eventually became part of the USSR in 1922. Under
Stalin, Ukraine faced famine, war, and purges that cost the lives of
over half the male and a quarter of the female population of Ukraine.
The 1986 Chernobyl disaster and the slow official response provoked
widespread discontent; in 1991, the Communist Party of Ukraine was
banned, and in December 1991 the population voted overwhelmingly for
independence. Things began to look brighter for Ukraine at the beginning
of the 21st century. The Chernobyl nuclear power plant was closed in
2000, and the last Soviet nuclear missile silo destroyed in 2001. The
economy started a period of sustained growth, and in 2002 the government
decided to apply for NATO membership.
It is written that God's grace is sufficient that it is enough. We meet
today to learn this lesson as we engage in worship. May our encounter
with God's grace result in the deepening of faith and enlarge hope. |
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| Scripture Reading: II Corinthians 13:11 IV |
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Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and
the God of love and peace shall be with you. |
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Prayer for Peace by Nadine Stallbaumer,
Independence, Missouri |
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O God, Lover of peace and justice,
We come to this place today to give thanks, and to praise you for your
plan of salvation through your Son, Jesus Christ. As we remember the
sacrifice of Jesus your only son, we ask for your continued guidance on
the path to peace that we might become the body of Christ. We desire to
be your peace workers, and ask for your direction.
We come to pray and seek your wisdom in growing peace within ourselves.
Through Jesus, you have expressed your unconditional love and care for
each of us, and we pray that you might guide and direct us as we seek to
be your servants of peace. Help us to be respectful of ourselves as well
as those we live with and work with. Help us remember how much you love
each of us, and act as you would to bring peace to each one.
We come to pray for peace within our community. Help us to build a place
of trust and responsibility where none go without the needs of life.
Give us the courage to reach out to one another when there is a need to
be filled. There are many near as well as far away that need us to share
our blessings. Guide us we pray.
We come to pray for the vision of peace in our nation. Please be with
our leaders who carry the responsibilities of creating a nation that is
interested in each citizen, not just the rich and powerful. Help us all
to understand there is enough for all if we but decide to make the
changes to share what we have. Those of us gathered in this place desire
to make the changes needed. Be with us, and light our path.
We come to pray for our world full of your goodness, but because of
ignorance and greed, many live with pain, hunger, lack of work, war,
sorrow, and unnecessary death. Please strengthen us so we don’t become
discouraged from lack of peace. There is much work to be done, but if
each one does their part, we can make a difference. We can build the
Peaceable Kingdom!
Walk with us on the path to peace, and help us be the good disciples you
have called us to be.
In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. |
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Hymn - O Christ, My Lord, Create in Me -
Hymns of the Saints #174 |
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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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Let us be still now so that God's grace may bathe our souls in
peace. We give praise and honor to our God who has visited our souls
with such grace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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In the light of such grace and glory, we become keenly aware of the
stain sin has left on our souls. We seek for further cleansing. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We hold the people of Ukraine up to you, God. Our hearts fill with
sorrow as we remember the struggles this country has endured. May they
know your peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We speak our gratitude for the enormous blessings that our families and
other loved ones are experiencing. |
| 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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Beloved Creator, you have watched generations come and go throughout the
stretches of time. We are reaping the harvest they planted. And we plant
for those who follow after us. Grace our harvesting and our planting. We
want to do our part in the creation of a universe at peace with itself.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We conclude our service this afternoon with Ministry of Music. You
are invited to leave this place quietly or remain to pray or meditate
for as long as you may wish.
Eternal God who broods over the world's billions, we leave this place of
quiet beauty aware that our place to serve is wherever we are. May our
labors be our best. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
