Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
|
 |
Nigeria
Would you like to learn more about Nigeria?
Visit
Lonely
Planet.
|
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
| |
We greet you in the name of God
who calls us to peace, and welcome to this sacred place. 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 remember the people of Nigeria in our prayers. Nigeria is
located in West Africa and is one-third larger than Texas and the most
populous country in Africa. It is situated on the Gulf of Guinea. The
official language is English but there are over 200 others spoken. A
United Nations fact-finding mission in 1996 reported that Nigeria's
“problems of human rights are terrible and the political problems are
terrifying.” During the 1970s, Nigeria had the 33rd highest per-capita
income in the world, but by 1997 it had dropped to the 13th poorest. The
human rights issues in Nigeria continue to estrange the country from
international inclusion, but costly war efforts were unpopular with its
own people, who felt Nigeria's limited economic resources were being
unnecessarily drained.
As we gaze upon our peace candle, may our Loving Parent draw us close,
enfold us in His
arms, and grant us the peace of a family united in one goal—the
peaceable kingdom. |
| |
| Scripture Reading: Romans 15:5-7 INT |
| |
May God, the source of all strength and
encouragement, enable you to live in perfect harmony with one another
according to the Spirit of Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and one
voice, you may praise the God of our Savior Jesus Christ. Accept one
another as Christ accepted us, for the glory of God. |
| |
|
Prayer for Peace by Ms. Jimmie L. Radliff,
Spring, Texas |
| |
Our Father,
As we bow in prayer, we seek to learn many steps for achieving peace.
May we be good students who teach others by example instead of weapon.
Fill our minds with peace so that its white light will illumine all the
rainbow hues of y our promises.
Fill our eyes with peace, to see each path that we must follow according
to your plan. May our faces reflect your love to all who walk with us.
Fill our hands with peace, for we would be instruments working for
kingdom-building enterprises.
Fill our tongues with peace, so that we may speak softly to turn away
angry rhetoric.
Fill our ears with peace, that we may echo the strains of good will to
all in the music of everyday life.
Fill our hearts with peace. May they be strengthened to bear the pain of
the world's ever-present ills, and be filled with your love and blessing
to be shared as healing balm for the wounded.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Amen |
| |
|
Hymn - O Come, All Ye Faithful -
Hymns of the Saints #238 |
| |
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. |
| |
God of all that is, all that ever was, and all that
shall come to be: We praise you. We give thanks for this time of
remembering your goodness, your loving care, your guidance and your plan
for creation to be at peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
| |
Forgive us when we have not remembered, and have been guilty of actions
and thoughts that did not promote peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
| |
This day, O God, we remember Nigeria and its people who struggle daily
for peace and acceptance and justice. Fit a blessing to their needs, and
open our eyes that we may see how we can foster peace and acceptance and
justice for all people. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
| |
We would also remember the concerns and petitions of those gathered here
this day. Hear us, we pray. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
| |
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.
|
| The People Pray in Silence |
| |
Amen. |
| |
| Sending Forth |
| |
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.
And now, Great God, direct us and guide us into paths of peace, for we
truly desire to be peacemakers and peacekeepers. Amen. |
| |
| Ministry of Music |
