Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Gambia
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more about Gambia?
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Lonely
Planet. |
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us for this
time of worship and 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 Gambia in our prayers. Located in
Western Africa, Gambia gained its independence from the United Kingdom
in 1965. After nearly 30 years of democratic rule, Gambia's president
was ousted by a military coup in 1994, although constitutional rule was
reestablished in January of 1997. Most people are subsistence farmers
and the main export is groundnuts (peanuts). Music is Gambia's richest
artistic tradition.
We greet you in the name of God who is the giver of all. It is the
creator of light and goodness that we worship and praise today as we
pray for peace in our world. |
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| Scripture Reading: Psalm 4:6-8 IP |
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So many are asking, “Does good even exist
anymore?”
Let the light of your face, Adonai, shine on us!
You put joy in my heart—a joy greater than being full of bread and new
wine.
In peace I’ll lie down, in peace I will sleep: for you alone, Adonai,
keep me perfectly safe. |
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Prayer for Peace by Helen Lents, Independence,
Missouri |
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Gracious God,
There is no greater yearning in the hearts of humans than that of the
desire for peace in all of its diverse expressions. We beseech Thee to
increase our awareness that the only way to experience this peace is
through the integration of our lives in seeking to understand and live
as followers of the Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit to cleanse, to
strengthen, and enlighten is ever present to us and can be claimed when
we seek that presence in the quiet moments of our days and in the
clarity of vision that comes unexpectedly at times when we are deeply
involved with and observant of the needs of the world in which we live.
Forgive us, our Creator, when we have been too busy to feel and
recognize the gentle touch of Thy Spirit inviting and leading us in the
ways of discipleship. Remove our blindness when we have chosen not to
look or to be stewards of Thy wondrous creations.
Awaken in us the confidence and assurance that our faltering efforts to
be Thy children can be enhanced and become significant in the kingdom
endeavor. Help us to understand there is no small task in Thy service
and increase our willingness and enthusiasm, and our belief, that Thy
creation may one day be at peace when we are truly in accord with Thy
purposes.
Guide our efforts to live in peace and harmony in our diversity, we pray
in the name of the Great Peacemaker. Amen. |
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Hymn - Jesus, Name Above All Names -
Sing for Peace #25 |
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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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Let us join in thanksgiving and praise and thank God for
all of his marvelous works of peace in this world. Assist us in
remembering that your goodness is all around us if we but open our
minds. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We ask your forgiveness for the sin of our self-concern, where we seek
first our own private good, to the neglect of our neighbor's needs near
and far. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We ask your watch care and blessing for the people of the Gambia.
Continue to bless their activities to foster peace in all the world we
ask. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We also ask your blessing and guidance for the concerns of people
gathered here today. Hear us we pray. |
| 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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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 today with Ministry of Music.
Please feel free to remain in this place to pray or meditate in the
quiet for as long as you may wish.
Let us promote justice among our families, our communities, all nations,
and peoples of the earth. The God of light and knowledge will bless our
efforts. Let us BE peacemakers. |
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| Ministry of Music |
