Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Zambia
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more about Zambia?
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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It is good to be with you and
share the prayers for peace, and we are blessed by your presence. 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 Zambia in our prayers. Zambia is
located in Southern Africa. Endowed with huge copper reserves and
fertile farmland, Zambia looked to the future with optimism after
independence from Britain in 1964. But copper prices plummeted in the
mid-1970s, and transport costs soared. The economy has been in decline
ever since, and copper, vital to Zambia's economy, could run out soon.
Farming will become increasingly important; only a fifth of the arable
land is cultivated. More than 70 percent of Zambians live in poverty,
and unemployment is a serious problem. Zambia depends on copper for most
of its foreign earnings so the economy suffers when copper prices
decline. Thundering Victoria Falls and other power sources bring
self-sufficiency in hydroelectricity. Zambia does have excellent
national parks which are teeming with birds and animals, and boast some
of the finest safari camps and lodges in the whole of southern Africa.
We greet you in the name of Jesus, the Christ. With the psalmist we say,
"Give ear to our words, O Lord; consider our meditation. Hearken unto
the voice of our cry, our God, for unto thee will we pray." |
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| Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 18:2n |
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Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk
in the meekness of my Spirit and you shall have peace in me. |
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Prayer for Peace by Gwendolyn McClain,
Independence, Missouri |
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Our Father in Heaven, We lift our hearts to Thee in
prayer. Help us to understand your will, that we may become a peaceful
people throughout Your world. In Your word we are told "Blessed are the
peacemakers." Lord, help us to become peacemakers—improve our skills in
making peace on earth. We want to have a stable and loving home life, so
there will be peace in our hearts, our churches, and our communities.
We say, "Lord, let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." We
want to reach out to others. Help us to reach out to others in
reconciliation and follow the example of Thy Son.
We need help to see and appreciate the worth of humanity throughout the
world. We accept our Lord as our example of peace.
Give us guidance and empowerment so that we do what we can to bring
peace into the world.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen. |
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Hymn - How Firm a Foundation - Hymns of
the Saints #136 |
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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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O God, your people are hungry for your Word. Fill us
with grace, we pray, as we humbly confess our sins and ask forgiveness.
O God, your gathered people here have concerns and needs. Hear us at
this time and lead us to paths of peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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O God, your people are hungry for food. Help us to become better
stewards, so that all may benefit from the abundance you have provided.
Give us the will to share with those who do not have enough. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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O God, your people are hungry for healing. You created us to be whole
persons, but many of us are broken. Your people are sick, lonely, in
jail, oppressed. Fill us with the power to heal each other and to be
healed. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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O God, your people are hungry for justice. Help those in authority, in
all countries and all institutions, to govern wisely for the benefit of
all. With others across the world, we especially ask this on behalf of
our brothers and sisters in Zambia this day. Fill all leaders with
compassion, we pray. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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O God, your people are hungry for peace. Teach all persons that there is
more to bind nations together than to drive them apart, and that there
is no place in your realm for war and intolerance. Fill us with
understanding we humbly ask. |
| 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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Make us instruments of your peace O Lord. In the name of Jesus 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.
Go from here with the peace that only comes from God. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
