Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Tonga
Would you like to learn
more about Tonga?
Visit
Lonely
Planet. |
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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It is good to welcome to this
place of sanctuary and peace. Welcome in the name of the Prince of
Peace, Jesus Christ. 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 Tonga in our prayers. The
archipelago of "The Friendly Islands," located in the South Pacific
Ocean, was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a
constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900.
Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the
Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific. A
pro-democracy movement, organized in the early 1990s by people who
believed the monarchy had outlived its relevance, supports Tonga's first
political party, the Tonga Democratic Party. The concept of the communal
extended family is so fundamental in Tongan life that parents have no
real sense of 'possession' of their children, who are frequently shifted
from one household to another, and may have several places to call home
as a result.
Come, let us bow down to the Lord, our Creator. In the stillness of this
hour may our thoughts center on our purpose for gathering, the prayers
of the people for peace throughout the world. |
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| Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:17-19 adapted |
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And Christ came and preached peace to you
who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through Christ we
both have access in one Spirit to God. So then we are no longer
strangers and sojourners, but are citizens with the saints and members
of the household of God.
Through Christ we are reconciled to God and to each other. |
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Prayer for Peace by Carol Oliver Wilkins,
Pensacola, Florida |
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Almighty Author of creation,
let Your kingdom come.
Help us, O Lord, to become
the pure in heart;
those who will inherit
the kingdom prepared for us.
Give us understanding,
as we search for truth.
Guide our thoughts and choices
as we attempt to stay on the path
of righteous living.
Diminish our knowledge of self-will
and increase our concepts of You.
Let Your peace flow down upon us
like rivers of hope springing eternal,
that we may proclaim our faith
in Your plan for a peaceful world.
Grant us the patience and long suffering
for an unending search for peace
in relationships with
each other and with You.
Let us be Your instruments for peace,
above all, in our
community,
our home,
and in a world
longing,
begging,
struggling
for liberty,
justice,
mercy.
We pray from the depths of our hearts in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. |
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Hymn - Angels We Have Heard on High
- Hymns of the Saints #237 |
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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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God of all nations and all peoples, by whatever name you
are known, we come before you in praise and thanksgiving. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Forgive our sins of selfishness and pride, we humbly ask. Guide us into
the joy of being and into the desire for joyful peace for all peoples. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray particularly for the nation of Tonga this day. Bring them peace
as the citizens learn that you are the God of all nations and the
Creator of all peoples. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We would also pray that the needs and concerns of the people gathered
here would be heard and answered by your divine wisdom. We ask your
guidance as we try to live by your standards of peace in our daily
living. |
| 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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Hear our collective prayers, O Prince of Peace, that your peace may
become the peace of this world. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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Our service will end 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.
You were called to this place today to pray for the cause of peace. Now
you are called to go out and become an instrument for peace in your
community. Go with God's blessings to become makers of peace. |
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| Ministry of Music |
