Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Finland
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about Finland?
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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 Finland in our prayers. Located in
far-northern Europe, forests cover two-thirds of Finland and the arctic
zone one-third, including the largest unspoilt wilderness in Europe.
Despite a short growing season, Finland is self-sufficient in meat,
grains, and dairy products. For years, the wood and paper industry
dominated Finland's exports; but now the metal/engineering/electronic
aspects of industry have surpassed forest products. Finland declared its
independence in 1917 after centuries of war and domination by Russia.
More recently, as a member of the European Union, Finland was the only
Nordic state to join the Euro system at its initiation in January 1999.
In February 2000, Finns elected their first female president.
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: Romans 12:1-5 INT |
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Sisters and brothers, I beg you through the
mercy of God to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
acceptable to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Don’t conform
yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your minds,
so that you can judge what God’s will is—what is good, pleasing and
perfect. In light of the grace I have from God, I urge each of you not
to exaggerate your own importance. Each of you must judge yourself
soberly by the standard of faith God has given you. Just as each of us
has one body with many members—and these members don’t have the same
function – so all of us, in union with Christ, form one body. And as
members of that one body, we belong to each other. |
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Prayer for Peace by Val Morley, Sydney,
Australia |
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Our Eternal God,
We thank you for your unconditional love that brings such hope and joy.
We come this day, this hour, to this special place to pray for peace.
Violence and wars tear us apart. Violence and wars where the influence
of leaders often cause good men and women to be killed by good men and
women - each fighting for a cause that often becomes obscure. The only
certainty is homelessness, poverty, hopelessness and the unbelievable
suffering, especially for the children and the aged.
We know you never meant us to live like that Lord. May your spirit guide
us to mend our world and to bring peace according to your truth resident
within us.
May we ever work for justice, and may our longings for peace be
passionate.
Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts,
our world, our universe.
Peace! Peace! Peace! Amen. |
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Hymn - Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands -
Sing for Peace #15 |
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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 Finland. May they know peace, and may you be present with the
peacemakers as they serve. |
| 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 the God of all people help us to keep our good resolves this
day. Go in peace. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
