Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Switzerland |
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more about Switzerland?
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Thank you for joining us today in worship, and welcome 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 lift up the people of Switzerland in our prayers. Located
in central Europe, Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long
been honored by the major European powers. Independent since 1815,
Switzerland borders now encompass 26 cantons embracing three official
languages-German, French, and Italian. Switzerland's decision to apply
for membership in the European Union indicates its desire to compete in
global markets with exports that make up 44 percent of the nation's
economy. Elaborate civil defense measures and a strong militia back up
the Swiss policy of permanent neutrality. Although not a member of the
United Nations, Switzerland is firmly committed to world peace.God of
all peoples, all nations, and all religions, we praise you. Open our
hearts and minds to your will at this time of our worship, we humbly
ask. |
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| Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 1:3 NRSV |
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Grace be unto you, and peace, from God…and from the
Lord Jesus Christ. |
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Prayer for Peace by Donald Brown, Pueblo,
Colorado |
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Creator God,
It is good to gather here once again, to rest in this silent, sacred
place, and collect our thoughts, calm our minds. We need times like
this, God, times when we can retreat and refresh our spirits and clear
our minds. Times that restore our souls, and remind us again of the
tasks you have commissioned us to fulfill.
God, we sometimes grow weary. We are overwhelmed by the needs that
surround us, the demands and the problems which drain our resources and
sap our strength.
We weep for the violence and destruction that rages in so much of the
earth. We weep for the children, little innocent ones who are denied
love and whose lives are consumed by forces of darkness and evil. We
weep for those rendered powerless by systems of injustice, abuse, and
oppression. We weep for those who are treated as if they were of no
worth in the sight of others around them. At times we feel as though we
have no more tears to shed for those who suffer.
Meet us now, O God, in this place and time, and gently open our hearts.
For if you are the God of love and compassion as shown in the life of
your Son, Jesus, then we know that the tears we have shed have been your
tears as well.
God, we lift our prayer to you, and offer our love to you, and to the
world you have called us to minister to. In the name of your Son, Jesus
Christ, we pray. Amen. |
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Hymn - Soften My Heart - Sing a New Song
#47 (sing two times) |
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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 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 |
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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 |
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This day, O God, we remember the nation and the people of Switzerland.
Be with the peacemakers there, and may we all learn to live in harmony,
one with another. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Bless the tireless efforts of those people and organizations that work
to improve the lives of the people who suffer from injustice throughout
the world. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We would also hold up before you the concerns and the needs of the
people gathered here this day. |
| 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 in all nations, O God of all peoples. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We 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.
With God's blessing, go in peace, and strive always to erase all
injustice. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
