Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Madagascar
Would you like to learn
more about Madagascar?
Visit
Lonely
Planet. |
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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We greet you in the name of the Prince of
Peace, and welcome you 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 Madagascar in our prayers.
Madagascar is an island in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of
Africa. The fourth largest island in the world, Madagascar resisted
colonization until the French took control in 1896. Independent as the
Malagasy Republic in 1960, it changed its name back in 1975. Its
predominantly agricultural people are a mix of African, Polynesian, and
Arab.
As we leave the outside world for a few moments we will not forget our
duties there. As we worship together, we will be refreshed to serve anew
as peacemakers for our God. |
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| Scripture Reading: Mark 12:28-31 adapted |
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What is the great commandment in the law?
And Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and
first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor
as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the
prophets." |
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Prayer for Peace by Ken Simpson, Independence,
Missouri |
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Gracious and loving God, we have gathered as we live: in
the name of our Lord and Savior, the Prince of Peace. We gather, in
part, because the gentle touch of your Holy Spirit has, on occasion,
brought to our daily existence a peace that has fulfilled the deepest
longings of our troubled souls.
We gather, seeking again that peace, not for ourselves only, but to
better understand how we may become instruments of your peace: to share
with those who know you not, and are unaware that this peace will not
only transform their lives, but is the power by which you desire to
transform the powers of this world into the kingdom of your Eternal
Presence.
We gather in this place to symbolize our unity before you, and our
willingness both to receive the blessing of your peace and to go forth
as ambassadors for peace in your world to witness having been in your
presence.
We gather to acknowledge the many places which are beyond our personal
stewardship, and to affirm our faith in the ministry of your Holy Spirit
to respond in those places and in those ways to prepare both lives and
nations for fuller expressions of your Divine Love.
We gather to experience the strength of your presence and to go forth in
that strength, to demonstrate the power of your peace in life, in word,
and in deed.
In the name of the One who is our peace, Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen. |
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Hymn - Where Beauty, Truth, and Love Make One
- Hymns of the Saints #321 |
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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, 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. Teach us of 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 people and the nation of Madagascar. May they
practice wise stewardship over the natural bounty to which they have
been entrusted. |
| 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. 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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This day, in response to your call, we offer ourselves as instruments of
peace in our 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 remain in the quiet of this place to pray or meditate for
as long as you may wish.
Seek peace, and pursue it as you leave this place. We are called to
peace this day. With God's blessing, we will be peacemakers. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
