Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Swaziland
Would you like to learn
more about Swaziland?
Visit
Lonely
Planet. |
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 as we gather to worship. 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 remember the people of Swaziland in our prayers. Located
in Southern Africa, autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was
guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was
granted in 1968. Swaziland is the smallest country in Africa and is one
of the most easy going cultures. A progressive and hands-on attitude
towards wildlife preservation has endowed the country with a striking
group of national parks. It is sad, but Swaziland recently surpassed
Botswana as the country with the world’s highest known rates of HIV and
AIDS.
We come to this sacred place today to consider the needs of the world,
our country, communities and homes. Be still and let the Spirit of Peace
envelop your mind as you worship with us. Thank you for your presence. |
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| Scripture Reading: Mark 12:28-31, adapted |
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What is the great commandment in the law?
And Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and
first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor
as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the
prophets." |
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Prayer for Peace by Lois Archer, Charlestown,
New South Wales, Australia |
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Many of your sons and daughters, God, live by wooded
hills and rolling fields, by the music of rivers, lakes, oceans, or the
noisy symphony of the city. They are educated, well-fed. They have
purpose to their lives. They can celebrate their existences, and for
this we give grateful thanks.
But many of your people, God, live with desecration of their lands, with
hunger, poverty, and disease. They live in the shadow of greed, cruelty,
domination, and destruction. You cry out for the liberation of your
people who are oppressed.
Creator God, we cry out with you. We cry out for justice and order, for
equity and sanity. We cry out for truth and knowledge, for
reconciliation and healing of the spirit.
On our knees we pray for the release of your healing goodness to empower
men and women of goodwill everywhere to rise up and stand against the
evil that enslaves those in the wounded places of this earth.
We pray that ignorance and superstition, apathy and aimlessness will be
overcome by your glory--by intelligence, love, and compassion. We pray
that enlightened people will rise up and join all forces for good.
May the earnest prayers of all who unite at this moment rise in power as
we pray for peace and goodwill to all who dwell on the earth.
We call upon the holy name of Christ Jesus. Amen. |
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Hymn - We are People of God’s Peace
- Sing for Peace #6 |
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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 give thanks to you, Lord God, and praise your mighty
works of peace. We thank you for our many blessings this day and pray
that your Holy Spirit will be with us as we seek to know and do your
will. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We confess to you our shortcomings. In your compassion forgive us our
sins, Lord. We pray for the special needs of those gathered here today.
Teach us peace, we humbly ask. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for the victims of hunger, fear, injustice and oppression. Also,
we pray for all who are in danger, who sorrow, are sick or friendless.
Be near to them we ask. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for this community, the nations, and the world, and especially
for the people of the nation of Swaziland. Grant them a blessing with
what is needed most in their country. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for all people in their daily life and work: for our families,
friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone. We pray for peace
and unity among the leaders of religions and nations and for all who
work for justice, freedom, and peace. |
| 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 the Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We will 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 we will go forth and serve. O God, send us to bring your peace
and healing touch. We go now in your name. Amen |
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| Ministry of Music |
