Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Azerbaijan
Would you like to learn more about Azerbaijan?
Visit
Lonely
Planet. |
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Welcome to this sacred place,
and it is good to meet together in this time of prayer.
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 Azerbaijan in our prayers. Located
in southwestern Asia, Azerbaijan - a nation of Turkic Muslims - has been
an independent republic since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Despite a cease-fire, in place since 1994, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve
its conflict with Armenia. Azerbaijan has lost almost 20% of its
territory and must support some 750,000 refugees and internally
displaced persons as a result of the conflict. The government suffers
from corruption, and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's
undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled.
We light this candle as a symbol of our commitment to a just and
peaceful world. May the peace of God who has called us here guide our
worship. |
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| Scripture Reading: Psalm 121:1-2 IP |
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I lift my eyes to the mountains—from where
will my help come?
My help comes from Our God, who made heaven and earth! |
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Prayer for Peace by Everett Graffeo,
Independence, Missouri |
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Lord, we are filled with wonder
and bursting with joy at your invitation.
We feel awe in your presence
and sense that this moment
has some eternal significance.
Our pilgrimage wends its way to this holy place.
We hear your words,
“Welcome home!”
Seasons and faces pass in review.
People act as if the world and history
have slipped out of Your hands.
They act violently with hysterical reactions.
They risk everything
to hold on to their brittle world.
They know no peace
They have no home.
But with uplifted voice, we cry out
Hope! Peace! Life! Love!
We live in a grace-filled community
where the winds of love and peace blow
as a gentle whisper in our hearts.
We see many that are responding.
The evidence is before our eyes.
We rejoice in Your triumph.
There are many who stand in the breach,
Brave souls who live in the tension
of hope and unfulfilled longing.
We see eternity unfolding around us;
The enemies of light have failed,
Hope blossoms in the midst of the earth.
Justice is the breaking light on the eastern horizon.
The reign of peace is the promise of the new day.
You do dry the tears in the eyes of the oppressed.
Death does disappear in your presence.
Persons are restored to new life.
Endings do become beginnings.
Persons do smile again.
Your peace does reign.
Hope is justified.
Love does have the final word.
Teach us the words
that will give voice to the hope that is in us.
From the thousand openings of our wounded bodies,
Release the notes of Your triumphant song.
Attune our ears to hear
the alleluia chorus of future generations.
Make our world
the world of your Kingdom of Peace! |
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Hymn - God, the Source of Light and
Beauty - Hymns of the Saints #406 |
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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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Lord of all space, we thank you for knowing us. We thank
you for family, friends, those who will be friends, the earth and all
its bounty. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We confess that we are less than you created us to be and humbly ask
forgiveness. We lament the causes of injustice and seek enlightenment
that we may understand better our part in peace for the world. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We rejoice when one step is made toward peace between nations, but know
the journey is long and the steps are many. On this day, please hear our
prayers concerning the nation of Azerbaijan. Guide them that they may
find their way past the problems that beset them. May they know the
peace they seek. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We would not forget the need for peace in ourselves, our families, and
our nations. Hear our concerns, we pray. |
| 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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This day, in response to your call, we offer ourselves as instruments of
peace in our world. 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 of peace, of glory, and righteousness, keep us to fulfill
our desires to be peacemakers in the world. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
