Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Children of the World
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Good afternoon, and welcome
today 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.
But today we will remember the Children of the World . It is a day to
increase our awareness of the need to nurture and protect children and
to seek justice on their behalf, as well as Children’s Sabbath. As we
pray for the Children of the world, let us remember places where severe
conditions make childhood a difficult and fleeting time. Let us pray for
justice for every child in this world, and may we become advocates of
all the children wherever they may be and whatever their needs might be.
Thank you for coming to share in this service of prayer 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 as we pray for the children of our world. |
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| Scripture Reading: Luke 18:1-8 INT |
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Jesus told the disciples a parable on the
necessity of praying always and not losing heart: “Once there was a
judge in a certain city who feared no one—not even God. A woman in that
city who had been widowed kept coming to the judge and saying, ‘Give me
legal protection from my opponent.’ For at time the judge refused, but
finally the judge thought, ‘I care little for God or people, but this
woman won’t leave me alone. I’d better give her the protection she
seeks, or she’ll keep coming and wear me out!”
Jesus said, “Listen to what this corrupt judge is saying. Won’t God then
do justice to the chosen who call out day and night? Will God delay long
over them? I tell you, God will give them swift justice. |
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Prayer for Peace by Lu Mountenay,
Independence, Missouri |
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Creating Spirit,
We come before you today on behalf of the children of our families, the
children of our communities and the children of our global village. We
believe that our intercessory prayers are part of your plan for the
human and divine relationship. We believe that they lay before us the
needs of which you are aware, but call for us to recognize as well,
needing your divine participation.
You know each of your children by name. You know each of their needs by
the urgency of their situation. Some, as a community of faith, are known
to us and we would take action to satisfy those needs as we can. Some,
we need your Spirit to direct us and inspire us to take action.
God, we pray for justice in the child’s world – the fair distribution of
food and health care; equal opportunities in education; hope for the
future of the planet; and peace. These issues are our responsibility to
address today, so the innocent children won’t be devastated tomorrow.
You have given to us insight regarding the pursuit of peace,
reconciliation and healing of the spirit. If we fulfill this vision, we
can hold the faces of our children gently in our hands, look them
lovingly in the eye and say “we do our best.”
We pray for them the knowledge that they are loved by you as
demonstrated by our witness of Christ’s love. Amen |
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Hymn - Let Your Heart Be Broken -
Hymns of the Saints #377 |
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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 praise you, God of all nations, for your mercy and
compassion is vast, and your plan for peace is beyond our comprehension.
Lead us into your ways of wisdom. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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In peace we pray to you, Lord God, and dare to ask your blessing on all
the children of this world; the children who lack love and nurturing,
who are hungry for food and water; the children who are sick with no one
to bring healing; for the children who are lost and alone. Grant them
your peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We remember, and ask your guidance, for all who sorrow, fear, or have
special needs. May we follow your example and minister in your stead.
Grant your wisdom as we labor for peace. May success be realized. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We confess our shortcomings. Forgive us, we pray, and may we go from
here strengthened in body and mind for the task before us to be your
peacemakers in our world. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We remember the concerns and needs of those
gathered here. Hear us, we pray. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Lord, hear our prayers, and send your Holy Spirit to be with us as we
seek to know and do your will. 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.
Go now in the full knowledge of the gift of the Son of God and teach His
peace. |
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| Ministry of Music |
