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

Map of the Bahamas

Flag of the Bahamas
The Bahamas

Would you like to learn more about The Bahamas?
Visit Lonely Planet.
 
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of Candle

Invitation
  It is good to welcome you to this time of worship in this sacred place. Thank you for joining us for 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 hold up the people of the Bahamas in our prayers. A chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management since attaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1973. Tension exists over bank-secrecy laws and drug trafficking via the islands. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs.

May this time of prayer for peace bring to your soul the rest and renewal and challenge that come from being in the presence of God.
 
Scripture Reading: Romans 14:19 INT
  Therefore, let us conduct ourselves in ways that lead to peace and mutual growth.
 

Prayer for Peace by Konnie Strom Bullard, Independence, Missouri
  Creator of All, Lord of Love,

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share this time and space together. Thank you for each one gathered here, and thank you for the journey in life that has brought us to this place.

Today we bring before your altar ourselves--the one and only true thing of value we have to offer. But with us comes imperfection, fear, selfishness, and brokenness, yet a hope of becoming closer to your image, of fulfilling the purpose of life.

Creator, there is peace and tranquility here and the quietness of spirit--but outside these protective walls lies a world diseased, a world in which there is violence, fear, hunger, and grief. There is no way we can "fix" it all. But with your empowerment, your grace, and your direction we can reach out our hands in love to you and neighbor. We can strive to bring peace in the corner of our world.

Help us to grow spiritually and emotionally as quickly as we can possibly tolerate. Help us to uphold the vision of a bright tomorrow and let our lives be like that of a light on a hill. Help us to look deep inside ourselves and deep within others to find your face and the part of us that is made in your image. Help us accept ourselves and others to learn to be instruments of peace.

This is our prayer and our vision. Walk with us and show us the way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 

Hymn -  Help Us Accept Each Other - Hymns of the Saints #171
 
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, move in us to pray for peace. Great God we thank you and praise you for the goodness in our lives, and for what peace we find.
The People Pray in Silence
  We pray for the Bahamas and their neighbors. May they follow the ways of peace, and learn to listen to the needs of our world.
The People Pray in Silence
  Use us to dispel the grip of fear and prejudice. May the peacemakers teach us to build peace with our neighbors near and far. May our desires reflect your plan for your human family.
The People Pray in Silence
  Forgive us, O God, when we have been warriors instead of peacemakers, oppressors instead of builders, receivers instead of givers. Be our source of strength. May we arm ourselves with confidence in your creative power to move us from terror to trust.
The People Pray in Silence
  May we be your peacemakers in our homes, our schools, our work. We now pray for your guidance in our own personal cares.
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
  To the God of Peace we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
 
Sending Forth
  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.

As you have rested in God's spirit of peace for these few moments, GO, and share that spirit in the lives of those you meet today. Amen.
 
Ministry of Music