Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Lebanon
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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We welcome you today to the
quiet, simple dignity of this place. Each day in this Temple dedicated
to the pursuit of peace, we gather to 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 Lebanon in our prayers. Located in
the Middle East, Lebanon has a Middle Eastern culture colored by Western
influences. Although Lebanon traditionally considered itself the only
Christian majority country in the 'Arab' world, by the 1970s the Muslim
population was believed to have been greater than that of the
Christians, a situation that led to sectarian unrest and struggles for
political and economic power. The Lebanese have made progress toward
rebuilding their political institutions and regaining their national
sovereignty since 1991 and the end of the devastating 16-year civil war,
and have conducted several successful elections. Outbreaks of violence
continue.
Blessed is the name of our God who is mindful of us as we worship in
faith and joy. |
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| Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:29; 5:2 NRSV |
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Let no evil talk come out of your
mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need; so
that your words may give grace to those who hear.
And live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a
fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. |
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Prayer for Peace by Ancil Burroughs, Cheyenne,
Wyoming |
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O God, how great you are for the greatness of your love
and power!
We come to you in the beauty of your holiness, and we thank you for your
gracious love and for your comfort and peace upon us. You are a God of
love. We thank you for all things in the heavens above and upon your
earth. O God, how great you are!
We give honor to you, our Father and our Lord, for you are worthy. You
made us in your likeness and image. You made us caretakers of your
earth. We are to make it beautiful, but we have desecrated the earth.
Yet we hear your plea. "O, my people! Make the earth beautiful as I
created it. My glory is upon all things. Serve me in the beauty of
holiness!"
O God, how great you are!
Help us to see your greatness in the beautiful things you have created,
things you have placed upon this earth to please our eyes and to gladden
our hearts. Help us to see the workmanship of your hands as we gaze, for
you made all things perfect. Help us see that great beauty, and see your
glory manifest in all things. We acknowledge you, our God, in all
things. Help us walk and talk to you. You tell us you have greater
blessings for us, greater than we have yet received, "for I am your God
forever; I change not--you will find me the same." Amen. |
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Hymn - Creator of Sunrises - Hymns of the
Saints #186 |
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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 that is, all that ever was, and all that
shall come to be: We praise you. We are grateful for your presence in
our lives, and pray for your guidance as we strive to be your followers. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We give thanks for this time of remembering your goodness, your loving
care, your guidance and your plan for all your creation to be at peace.
We lift up the peacemakers to your care, and pray for their safety and
courage. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Forgive us when we have not remembered and have been guilty of actions
and thoughts that did not promote peace. We do desire to be your people
of peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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This day, O God, we remember the nation of Lebanon and its people who
struggle daily for peace and acceptance and justice. Be with them as
they work to heal the wounds of war left on their country. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We would also remember the concerns and
petitions of those gathered here this day. Guide us, we pray, that we
will not add to the problems of the world, but will be part of the
solution. |
| 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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May your name be praised, God of all nations. 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.
May the God who is peace, the God who is hope, and the God who is
concerned with all creation, guide us and bless us as we go forth to
serve the Divine purpose created in us. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
