Daily Prayer for Peace
Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.

Map of Azerbaijan

Flag of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan

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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of Candle

Invitation
  It is good to welcome you to this sacred place to share this time of worship together. 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. Corruption is ubiquitous and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled.

Thank you for coming to share in the prayers for peace. We have lighted 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.
 
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 55:12 IV
  For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
 

Prayer for Peace by Shirley Erena Murray
  Be the light within our darkness, God,
be our sight where we are blind,
when the waves of loss
loom and sweep across,
when our faith is undermined,
be the lifeline and the vision
for all humankind.

Be the voice that stills the human heart
in our terror, in our tears,
through the blinding blast
and the holocaust
and the wars that claim our years,
be the word that works within the world
till peace appears.
Let the dawn defy the darkness, God!
Give us each our role to play,
give us mindfulness
of the things that bless
in choices of each day,
till the evil and the darkness
All are swept away.
 

Hymn -   Put Peace Into Each Other’s Hands - By Request #15
 
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 the earth and those who dwell thereon, we pray that the light of peace will heal the dark places of the earth. We pray for those who suffer the destruction and desolation of war and human selfishness.
The People Pray in Silence
  We hold to the light of your love and healing the youth, children, and adults of Azerbaijan, whatever their race or religion. Be with them as they seek peace, and may they become a community in harmony.
The People Pray in Silence
  We pray for courage to be your presence in actions of justice, compassion, tenderness and love.
The People Pray in Silence
  We pray for divine forgiveness when we have not been compassionate or loving or just.
The People Pray in Silence
  Hear our prayer, O God, as we seek wisdom and as we bring our personal cares and concerns before you.
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
  These things we pray and leave them at your feet, O God of peace. 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.

Go now from this place, and become the peacemakers we are called to be. May the God of Peace go with you. Amen.
 
Ministry of Music