Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Honduras
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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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.
Today we will lift up the people of Honduras in our prayers. Honduras,
located in Central America, has evidence of Mayan settlement since at
least 1000 B.C. Settled by the Spanish in 1525, Honduras finally
declared independence as a separate nation in 1838. Since then, power
has alternated between two political factions and a succession of
military regimes. During the 1980s, Honduras was surrounded by turmoil
in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala, conflict that spilled over
into the country. In November 1998, Honduras was devastated by Hurricane
Mitch. By 2000, much of the mess caused by the landslides and flooding
that followed had been cleaned up, but the environmental practices that
exacerbated the flooding—clearcutting, monoculture farming, and rapid
urban expansion—continue.
Let us unite our hearts and minds and voices as we pray for peace in our
time and for this earth. |
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| Scripture Reading: Romans 14:17-18 INT |
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For the kingdom of God is a matter not of
eating and drinking, but of justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
If we all serve Christ this way, we will be pleasing to God and
respected by our sisters and brothers. |
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Prayer for Peace by Helen Lents, Independence,
Missouri |
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Dear God,
As we think of the challenges and serious concerns throughout the world
today, we uphold the leaders of the nations who are diligently searching
for peaceful solutions to conflict and are uncertain as to ways to
proceed.
We acknowledge our human weakness and inability to bring peace to the
world. The need for Divine guidance, patience, and openness in political
systems and the desire to protect and meet the needs of all in our world
of diversity cry out for justice and understanding.
God, in this time of fear and anxiety help us sense your presence and
draw wisdom from the assurance of your love. Grant your strength to
those who lead and touch the hearts of those who would destroy, that the
time may soon come when your name will be praised and all nations bow
before your majesty, Great God of all Nations. Amen. |
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Hymn - God Who Spoke in the Beginning
- Hymns of the Saints #308 |
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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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Lord of all space, we thank you for knowing us. We thank
you for family, friends and those who will be friends, the earth and all
its bounty. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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On this day, please hear our prayers concerning the nation and people of
Honduras. May they be encouraged to continue their quest for justice for
all people. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We lament the causes of injustice and seek enlightenment that we may
understand better our part in peace for the world. We confess that we
are less than you created us to be and humbly ask forgiveness. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We would not forget the need for peace in ourselves, our families, our
nation, and our church. Hear our concerns, 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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This day, in response to your call, we offer ourselves as instruments of
peace in our world. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We will conclude our service for today 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.
As we leave this house, let us resolve to be the peacemakers and
peacekeepers we have been called to be. God will guide us as we share
Christ’s peace in our world. |
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| Ministry of Music |
