Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Morocco
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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We greet you in the name of the
Prince of Peace, and thank you for your presence. 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 hold up the people of Morocco in our prayers. Located in
Northern Africa, Morocco's long struggle for independence from France
ended in 1956. Drought, unemployment, a 20-billion-dollar debt, and
dispute over control of phosphate-rich western Sahara have taxed the
country. In 2004, the government adopted landmark changes to the
Moudawana, or Family Law, aimed at 'lifting the inequity imposed on
women, protecting children's rights, and safeguarding men's dignity'.
The new legislation grants unprecedented rights and protections for
women concerning marriage, divorce and custody of children.
Let us worship together and lift up an ensign of peace, and make a
proclamation for peace unto the ends of the earth. |
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| Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:29; 5:2 NRSV |
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Let no evil talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is useful for building up, as there is need; so that your
words may give grace to those who hear. |
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Prayer for Peace by Alyce Hougas, St. Joseph,
Missouri |
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God of the Universe and Father of us all,
Create within us the desire for peace. Give us discernment to find
avenues of common ground where adversaries may acknowledge each other as
children of God.
Grant us wisdom to distinguish compromise of cherished personal ideas
from the compromise of your holy principles.
We acknowledge you to be Perfect Peace. Help us to become more like you
and to share your qualities of peace with those about us. May our inner
peace be the catalyst that brings us to bold action which will not
diminish or cease until your purposes come to fruition.
Our prayer is offered in the name of the Prince of Peace. Amen. |
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Hymn - Holy Ground (sing 2 times) - Sing
a New Song #13 |
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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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O God, you are the way of peace. Come into the
brokenness of our lives and our land with your healing love. Help us to
be willing to bow before you in true repentance, and to bow to one
another in real forgiveness. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for all ecumenical initiatives, and all occasions which bring
together people of different traditions and customs. Help us to see the
good in all people, and teach us to be the best Christians that we can
be and to cooperate with one another in spite of differences. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We especially remember the people of Morocco. Bless the peacemakers as
they seek to find peaceful ways to resolve the issues in their country. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We thank you and praise you for love that sustains us, for wisdom that
directs us, and for desire that beckons us toward peace in our world. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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At this time we remember our private concerns. Hear our petitions we
humbly ask. |
| 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 pray these things in the name of the Prince of Peace. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We conclude our service 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.
Go now and bring peace to those around you. |
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| Ministry of Music |