Daily Prayer for Peace  | |
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Daily Prayer for Peace
Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Armenia
Would you like to learn more about Armenia?
Visit Lonely
Planet.
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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 Armenia in our prayers. Smallest of
the former Soviet republics, Armenia lies landlocked and
earthquake-ridden in rugged mountains in southwestern Asia. Armenia
achieved independence in 1991. The new nation took the lead among the
former Soviet Republics in privatizing its farmland. This country was
the first state to embrace Christianity in about A.D. 300; the Armenian
Orthodox Church still reinforces the national identity. One of the
cradle’s of civilization, Armenia’s countryside is astonishing. It is
cloaked in wildflowers, framed by snowy mountains, pitted with deep
caves and endowed with more than 40,000 ancient churches and monuments.
Its depths hold a bounty of natural resources, including gold, copper
and precious stones.
Let us remember that today is Palm Sunday, and think of Jesus as he
entered Jerusalem. Blessed is the name of the one who comes in the name
of the Lord! Now let us worship together as we seek new ways to pursue
peace and dedicate ourselves to serving the Prince of Peace. |
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| Scripture Reading: Luke 19:28 – 32, 35 – 40 INT |
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Approaching Bethphage and Bethany, near
what is called the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples with
these instructions: “Go into the village ahead of you. Upon entering it,
you’ll find a tethered colt that no one has yet ridden. Untie it and
lead it back. If anyone should ask you, “Why are you untying it?’ say,
‘The Rabbi needs it.’”
They departed on their errand and found things just as Jesus had said.
The disciples lead the animal to Jesus and, laying their cloaks on it,
helped him mount.
People spread their cloaks on the roadway as Jesus rode along. As they
reached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the entire crowd of
disciples joined them and began to rejoice and praise God loudly for the
display of power they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the One who comes in
the name of Our God! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your
disciples!”
Jesus replied, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the very stones
would cry out!” |
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Prayer for Peace by Ragnhild Carlson,
Independence, Missouri |
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Dear God, we come to you in prayer at this time feeling
grateful for the opportunity to meet with you in this peaceful setting.
We thank you for the many blessings you have bestowed upon us. So many
times we feel so comfortable in our own situation, and we become so
occupied with the daily activities of our own lives, that we have a
tendency to forget the needs of other people around us, and we ask your
forgiveness for this.
There is much need for a special peace, both in our own community and in
the world in general, a peace which can come from living in communion
with you. We realize we cannot solve all the problems, but help us be
more sensitive to the needs around us and what we can do to help. And
hopefully the peace to which we can contribute will spread to other
places beyond our own community. We also realize we are limited in what
we can do to help create peace in far away places, but that people may
be more sensitive to the leadings of your spirit, and especially the
leaders of the various countries, that peace may become a reality among
people and nations, that wars will cease, striving for power will be
replaced by love and understanding for one's neighbor.
May we strive for peace in our own lives and in our families and
communities, and as it starts out like a small trickle, may it increase
to a wide river which spreads far beyond us as you bless our efforts.
May we use every opportunity to build up a feeling of self-worth in
those who feel low, and assure them of your love for them as you have
for each one of us.
Help us in this endeavor, dear God. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. |
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Hymn - Ride On, Ride On in Majesty - Hymns
of the Saints #268 |
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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 of all nations, races, and creeds, we praise
you. You are our refuge in times of trial and our joy in times of
celebration. We thank you and praise you. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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You are the fount of intelligence by which we earn our bread and seek to
serve you. We praise you. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We acknowledge those times when we have been less than you created us to
be. Heal our brokenness, and lead us into paths of peace as we praise
you. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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This day we especially pray for your blessings on the people and the
nation of Armenia. May they know peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We would also remember those who hunger and
thirst for food, knowledge, friends, shelter, or clothing. Open our
hearts so we will be part of the solution, not the cause of hurt in our
world. |
| 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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O God of Peace, may your truth radiate from this place as we seek to be
your people of peace in the world. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We conclude our service today with Ministry of Music. We
invite you to leave quietly or remain to pray or meditate for as long as
you may wish.
Let us go from this house and be the people of peace we are called to
be. May you walk with Christ this week, facing its challenges with
strength and the assurance that God is always at your side. |
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| Ministry of Music |
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