Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Egypt
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Welcome today to this sacred
place, and thank you for sharing this time of prayer with us. 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 Egypt in our prayers. Located in
northern Africa, Egypt acquired full sovereignty from the United Kingdom
following World War II. Aswan High Dam, completed in 1971, provides
hydroelectricity, as well as a controlled water supply for year-round
irrigation and desert reclamation. The new Sheikh Zayed Canal diverts
water from Lake Nasser to create new farmland. A rapidly growing
population and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources
and stress society. The government has struggled to ready the economy
for the new millennium through economic reform and massive investment in
communications and physical infrastructure. Although the government also
struggles with violence by Islamic militants, Egypt remains relatively
stable with low unemployment, rising literacy rates and increasing
privatization of the economy.
We greet you in the name of God who has called us to worship. May the
light from our candle of peace illumine our hearts, open our minds, and
challenge us to new avenues of peace as we worship together. |
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| Scripture Reading: Psalm 46:1-3 The Inclusive
Psalms |
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God is our refuge and strength, a present
help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. There shall be a river,
whose streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of
the tabernacle of the Most High. “Be still, and know that I am God; I
will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts shall be with us, the
God of Jacob is our refuge. |
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Prayer for Peace by Evelyn Masek, Kirtland,
Ohio |
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Almighty God,
You who created us of one blood color within and many skin colors
without – we come in praise and appreciation of our sameness and also of
our differences. We know your love for each of us is the same as your
love for all of us.
We long for peace and harmony in our lives but there are so many things
that separate us: race, religion, wealth, sin, poverty, sickness. We
need your help that we might grow in the kind of love that causes us to
practice the art of not only listening but hearing each other. To listen
with our hearts and not just our ears. To give and receive respect. To
be thoughtful and caring.
Teach us to hurt when others hurt and rejoice when they rejoice. It is
only in the sharing that we will grow in understanding. Peace at home
and throughout the world revolves around understanding and mutual
respect.
We desire to plant the seeds of peace by our words and deeds so that one
day we may realize a bountiful harvest of goodness and earthly love.
We thank you for blessing us with heavenly love that promises us a place
provided for us – a place of peace that passes all human understanding.
Make us instruments of that peace, we pray, that we might not only talk
about your kingdom, but be your kingdom in this place.
We pray in the name of your son, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, Amen. |
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Hymn - We Are People of God’s Peace -
Sing for Peace #6 |
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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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Lord of all space, we thank you for knowing us. We thank
you for family, friends and those who will be friends, the earth and all
its bounty. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We confess that we are less than you created us to be and humbly ask
forgiveness. Please guide us in your ways. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We rejoice when one step is made toward peace between nations but know
the journey is long and the steps are many. On this day, please hear our
prayers concerning the nation and the people of Egypt. May they be
encouraged to continue their quest for justice for all people. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We lament the causes of injustice and seek enlightenment that we may
understand better our part in peace for the world. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We would not forget the need for peace in
ourselves, our families, our nation, and our church. Hear our concerns,
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 in all nations, O God of all peoples, and guide
us as we learn to accept and love all of your children. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We will 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.
May the peace we claim for ourselves grow and spread throughout the
whole earth. May the God in whose name we have met keep us to fulfill
our promises to be peaceful in our world. Go in peace. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
