Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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New Caledonia
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more about New Caledonia?
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 New Caledonia in our prayers. New
Caledonia is a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Settled by
both Britain and France during the first half of the 19th century, the
island was made a French possession in 1853. It served as a penal colony
for four decades after 1864. Agitation for independence during the 1980s
and early 1990s seems to have dissipated. The Noumea Accords of early
1998 were a blow to the pro-independence movement, as they put off
independence for the territory until 2013 at the earliest. The reason
for the delay was due to fears that the referendum could lead to a
renewal of violence. In the meantime, the independence issue defines
politics and ethnic relations.
Come, let us bow down to the Lord, our Creator. In the stillness of this
hour, may our thoughts center on our purpose for gathering, the prayers
of the people for peace throughout the world. Thank you for joining us
today. |
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| Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:29-30 NRSV |
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Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for
I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls;
for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. |
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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 new
pray. Amen. |
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Hymn - Of All the Spirit's Gifts to Me -
Sing for Peace #12 |
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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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When the Psalmist exclaimed about God, "Thou art greatly
to be praised" he was talking from experience. Out of our experience,
let us voice our praise to God. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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New encounters with God bring fresh awareness of God's call to move into
new ways of living. Leaving is never easy but especially difficult when
we are comfortable where we are. God, help us to risk new ventures. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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The people of New Caledonia work and play, eat and sleep, dream of peace
as they long for freedom from threats of violence. Watch over them, we
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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God, sometimes our human problems seem to create impossible barriers.
Our souls wilt, our spirits droop. Help us to support and encourage each
other. May the word of encouragement and the sustaining prayer be our
gifts to you today. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We conclude our service today with Ministry of Music.
You are invited to remain to pray or meditate in the quiet of this place
for as long as you may wish.
May the Peace of Jesus go with you as you strive to build peace. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
