Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Gabon
Would you like to learn more about Gabon?
Visit Lonely
Planet. |
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Thank you for joining us in
worship, and welcome 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.
Today we will remember the people of Gabon in our prayers. Located in
western Africa, Gabon introduced a multiparty system and a new
constitution in the early 1990s that allowed for a more transparent
electoral process and for reforms of governmental institutions. A small
population, abundant natural resources, and foreign private investment
have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous black African
countries. More than three-quarters of the country is forested. The
World Wildlife Fund assists in managing two tropical reserves and
earmarking areas for future protection. Gabon is particularly noted for
its woodcarvings and masks. The Gabonese art of mask making has been
lost and the only place you can see them today is in the museum.
God's spirit of peace molds us, heals us, and uses us in service to
others. The ministry of reconciliation, manifest in Christ Jesus, is the
promise of that spirit. Let us worship in peace. |
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| Scripture Reading: Psalm 7:6-7, 9-10 IP |
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Awake, my God, and give me justice!
Let the company of nations gather around you, and rule over them from on
high.
Put an end to the violence all around me!
Make the just feel secure, O God of justice, you who test mind and
heart!
You are my shield, God Most High, who saves the upright of heart. |
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Prayer for Peace by Laurie Gordon, Livermore,
California |
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Holy and Eternal God,
In this still moment and in this sacred place we gather to recognize You
as the Source of Being and the Bringer of Peace. You are the One whose
Presence fills the empty places in the heart of every child, woman, and
man; and You are the One who is the Light in our innermost beings. We
come to pray for peace, to open our hearts to your Spirit of Peace and
to offer our lives in bringing Your Peace into the world.
This peace for which we pray is a peace that may be born in our hearts
in still moments such as this one when we are aware of You. This peace
we seek is a peace that feeds and is fed by the unfolding of compassion
within, a peace that spills over into our relationships with our loved
ones and is extended into a troubled world. We want to offer our hearts
to the earth and to the world.
The Spirit of Peace enters the world through us when our hearts know
You. We know this kind of peacemaking is no easy task, yet we want to
participate with you in this new Creation. As instruments of Your Peace
may we transform, by Your Spirit, violence, ugliness and sorrow into
peace, beauty and joy. May the Spirit of Peace in the temple of our
hearts be free to spiral out into the world.
In remembrance of the Christ, Amen. |
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Hymn - To Live at Peace with Others
- Sing for Peace #17 |
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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 give thanks to you, Lord God, and praise your mighty
works of peace. Thank you for the blessing of allowing us to be a part
of that work. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for all people in their daily life and work: for our families,
friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for this community, the nations, and especially for the people
and the nation of Gabon. We pray for all victims of hunger, fear,
injustice and oppression. We pray for all who are in danger, who sorrow,
are sick or friendless. Be near to them, we ask. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for peace and unity among the leaders of religions and nations,
and for all who work for justice, freedom, and peace. Teach us of your
ways, O God. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for the special needs of those gathered here. Guide us, we
humbly ask. We confess to you our shortcomings. In your compassion
forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone. |
| 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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We thank you for our many blessings this day and pray that your Holy
Spirit will be with us as we seek to know and do your will. In the name
of the Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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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.
Go together now in peace to become the peacemakers and peacekeepers we
are called to be. |
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| Ministry of Music |
