Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Iran
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Good afternoon, and thank you
for coming to share in this service of prayer for peace.
Each day in this sacred place, 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 Iran in our prayers. Located in the
Middle East, the country was known as Persia until 1935. Iran became an
Islamic republic in 1979. War with Iraq from 1980 to 1988 cost a million
Iranian lives and devastated the economy. Iran confronts political and
social transformation as some promote liberal ideas, while others hold
fast to established Islamic traditions. An estimated seven million
Iranians have access to the Internet, which has been used to circumvent
government censorship. In Iran, as in all Islamic societies, art favors
the non-representational, the derivative and the stylized. Persian
carpets are Iran's most famous cultural export, dating back to the 5th
century BC, and are still an integral part of religious and cultural
festivals (and the economy).
Christ, whose presence is like daybreak and shines in the darkness of
all our pain and fear, calls us to worship. May the light of Christ fill
our hearts this day. |
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| Scripture Reading: Isaiah 54:10 NRSV |
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For the mountains may depart,
and the hills be removed; but my steadfast love shall not depart from
you,
and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,
says the LORD, who has compassion on you. |
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Prayer for Peace by Enid S. DeBarthe, Lamoni,
Iowa |
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Divine Creator of all Being, in quiet reverence we
humbly acknowledge our joyful gratitude for the life, intelligence,
potentiality, agency, and worth of each other and all others. Help us
recognize and appreciate our commonalties as well as our diversity of
beliefs, values, and achievements.
May each one of us, whoever and wherever we may be, experience your
in-dwelling Presence, guiding, comforting, sustaining, healing and
enlarging our attitudes and actions.
Help each one of us understand how others feel, care, and need the love
we have for them.
May we care enough to earnestly develop the will and skill for truly
listening to each other so that we can bring healing and reconciliation
in all our relationships.
May we each and all incarnate hope, love, joy and peace in all our
interactions so that World Peace may become actuality today and tomorrow
for all the peoples of the planet earth. Amen. |
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Hymn - Called by Christ to Love Each Other -
Sing for Peace #36 |
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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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God of all the earth and those who dwell thereon, we
give you praise and honor for your goodness and mercy to all creation. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for courage to be your presence in actions of justice,
compassion, tenderness, and love. And we ask for divine forgiveness when
we have not been compassionate or loving or just. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Hear us, O God, as we pray for others who are victims of abuse, neglect,
hatred, and illness. May your light fill all the world. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Help us not to abuse, neglect, hate, or cause illness so that your peace
might reign over all. We thank you, God, that in the midst of incredible
difficulties, courage and determination through the Holy Spirit sustain
those who suffer. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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At this time we pray for the people and the leaders of Iran. Fit a
blessing to their needs, and guide them into peaceful pursuits, we
humbly ask. Help us not to be a cause of distrust or chaos, we pray. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We lift our hearts and minds and voices in honor, praise, and glory to
you, Great God of Peace. At this time hear our personal burdens and
petitions, 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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We love you, O God, and we give you honor and praise and glory. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We now conclude our service for 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.
Let us go from this place and be the peacemakers we are called to be.
Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
