Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Algeria
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more about
Algeria?
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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 of warmth and comfort. 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 Algeria in our prayers. Algeria, in
northwest Africa on the Mediterranean coast, is the second largest
country in Africa after Sudan. The Sahara covers more than four-fifths
of its territory, with around 90 percent of Algerians live along the
Mediterranean coastlands on only 12 percent of the country's land. Since
1991 Algerian politics has been dominated by violence between the
military and Islamic militants. Longstanding problems continue to face
the current government, including the ethnic minority Berbers' ongoing
autonomy campaign, large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing,
unreliable electrical and water supplies, government inefficiencies and
corruption. Algeria must also diversify its petroleum-based economy,
which has yielded a large cash reserve but has not been used to redress
Algeria's many social and infrastructure problems.
As we light the Candle of Peace, let us reflect on the absence of peace
and its effect on our world. (silence) Now let us worship together as we
seek new ways to pursue peace and dedicate ourselves to ongoing peace. |
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| Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 162:2b |
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The One who created all humankind grieves
at the shameful divisions within the human family. A prophetic people
must work tirelessly to tear down walls of separation and to build
bridges of understanding. |
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Prayer for Peace by Ann Zieger, Lamoni, Iowa |
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Oh God,
We gaze into the night sky and see the creation you have made. You have
told us that your creation is endless. Our world is so small in your
creation. Sometimes we wonder why you have chosen to still work with us,
still love us. Yet here you are. We feel you. We see your handiwork. We
are aware of your presence in and through all of our world. And
sometimes we catch a glimpse of the magnitude of your love for us.
You show us that we have many choices to make. We need to choose
compassion over judgment, truth over expediency, mercy over fear, and
love over self-righteousness. Even though we have failed many times, we
have to keep trying.
Help us to see our choices clearly. Help us to not rush to judgment.
Open our eyes to see our neighbors as you see them and our ears to hear
those cries we can comfort. Cleanse our hearts. Then we can understand
better that love which you hold for the world. Then we can feel the
worth of all people in your sight. Then we can truly praise you. Amen. |
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Hymn - Make Us, O God, a Church That
Shares -
Hymns of the Saints #484 |
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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 for your care, and ask for your
presence with us as we share our personal concerns. |
| 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 thank you and praise you for our gifts. |
| 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 thank you
and praise you for your concern. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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This day we especially pray for your blessings on the people and the
nation of Algeria. We thank you and praise you for the peacemakers
there, and may they find peace in building justice in their nation. |
| 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 this place 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 the God of all people help us to keep our good resolves this
day.
Go in peace. |
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| Ministry of Music |
