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

Map of South America

Flag of Colombia
Colombia

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

Invitation
  Welcome today to this sacred place, and we are happy to have you join us in 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 Columbia in our prayers. Located in South America, Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia
in 1830. A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated during the 1990s, supported in part by funds from the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, the movement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary to overthrow the government. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its municipalities. However, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders.

It is written that God's grace is sufficient that it is enough. We meet today to learn this lesson as we engage in worship. May our encounter with God's grace result in the deepening of faith and enlarging of hope.
 
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:14-16 INT
  Christ is our peace…who broke down the barrier of hostility that kept us apart. In his own flesh, Christ abolished the Law, with its commands and ordinances, thus establishing peace and reconciling us all to God in one body through the cross, which put to death the enmity between us.
 

Prayer for Peace by Katherine Shields, Independence, Missouri

  O Creator of light and darkness, we ask that you will bless our assembly with a newly awakened sense of your will; that our actions will truly represent the convictions of our hearts.

Bless us with new sight to see the poverty of things and spirit that surrounds us and allow your spirit to minister to others through our actions.

Soften our hearts, we pray, and allow us to be the difference in this world of pain. We ask these things in the name of our Savior and hope. Amen.
 

Hymn -  O Christ, My Lord, Create in Me - Hymns of the Saints #174
 
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.
  Let us be still in the courts of glory that God's grace may bathe our souls in peace. We give praise and honor to our attentive God who has visited our souls with such grace.
The People Pray in Silence
  In the light of such grace and glory, we become keenly aware of the stain sin has left on our souls. We seek for further cleansing.
The People Pray in Silence
  We lift up the people of Columbia to you, God. Our hearts fill with sorrow as we remember how so many parts of our world are held in the grip of intolerance and terror and civil war. May cool heads with listening hearts prevail.
The People Pray in Silence
  We speak our gratitude for the enormous blessings that our family and other loved ones are experiencing.
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
  Beloved Creator, you have watched generations come and go throughout the stretches of time. We are reaping the harvest they planted. And we plant for those who follow after us. Grace our harvesting and our planting. We want to do our part in the creation of a universe at peace with itself. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
 
Sending Forth
  We conclude our service with Ministry of Music. You are invited to remain to pray or meditate in the quiet of this place for as long as you may wish.

Eternal God who broods over the world's billions, we leave this place of quiet beauty aware that our place to serve is out in our world. May our labors bring honor to you.
 
Ministry of Music