Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Saudi Arabia
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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 Saudi Arabia in our prayers. Located
in the Middle East, the discovery of oil in the 1930s transformed Saudi
Arabia. Below the arid desert landscape, oil has made this desert
kingdom one of the wealthiest nations in the world.
Saudi Arabia holds 25% of the world’s proven reserve of oil. The
mismatch between the job skills of Saudi graduates and the needs of the
job market, as well as constraints on employment for Saudi women, are
reasons for the large number of foreign workers. Unemployment for Saudi
males is high. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an
economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all major
governmental concerns.
Celebrated annually in January between the feast of the Confession of St
Peter and of the Conversion of St Paul, the Week of Prayer for Christian
Unity is another way in which Christians around the world remember one
another in prayer.
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: 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 Guy W. Stewart,
Independence, Missouri |
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Dear Lord, we gather together this day to worship you in
the name of Jesus Christ, your Only Begotten Son, our personal savior.
Let our voices be lifted in praise and adoration and may our souls be
filled with joy, for surely we have been blessed through your infinite
love and mercy.
As a result of your many blessings in our lives, Lord, we would humbly
ask you to renew our hearts as servants. Lord, forgive us when we have
taken your blessings for granted and have failed to share them with all
we meet.
Lord, touch our hearts today. May we leave this sanctuary committed to
allowing your fruits of love to come forth and be a blessing to all we
meet along life’s journey.
Through Jesus Christ, the “blessed one” who freely wants to give to all,
we would worship him in the spirit of truth and righteousness, through
love, joy, hope and peace. Amen. |
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Hymn - Lord Jesus, of you I Will Sing -
Sing for Peace #31 |
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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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We pray the continuing ministry of God's Holy Spirit in
Saudi Arabia. Guide them that they may continue to be a light of peace
and hope. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for courage as we seek the welfare of the city where we live.
Please be with the leaders who guide us, and give them wisdom. Give them
and the people strength to never cease doing good works. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for God's forgiveness for those times when we have not been
loving or compassionate. Teach us of your peace and justice, and help us
learn to listen. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Hear our prayer, O God, as we pray for others who are alone, have lost a
loved one, who are hungry or have no home or loved ones to give them
comfort. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Hear our personal concerns, and guide us as we seek to do your
will. |
| 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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In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen |
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| Sending Forth |
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Our service will conclude now 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 peacemakers. It is to this that we have
been called and for which we have been commissioned. The God of Peace
will guide us. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
