Daily Prayer for Peace  | |
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Daily Prayer for Peace
Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Vatican City
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Welcome today to this sacred
place and thank you for making time to pray for peace. 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 the Vatican City in our prayers.
The Lateran Treaty between Italy and the Holy See created an independent
Vatican City in 1929. Headed by the Pope, Pope Benedict XVI, the tiny
enclave in the heart of Rome is the administrative and spiritual capital
of Roman Catholicism, and the world's smallest independent state. During
the working week, the population increases fivefold as residents of Rome
cross into Vatican City. The Holy See maintains diplomatic relations
with more than 150 countries. Present concerns of the Holy See include
religious freedom, international development, the Middle East,
terrorism, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the
application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and
globalization.
This day is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. It is a day of
penitence, so each one can cleanse the soul before we begin our Lenten
fast. May the Spirit lead us in our worship. |
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| Scripture Reading: Isaiah 58:6-12 adapted |
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Is not this what I require of you, to loose
the fetters of injustice, to untie the knots of the yoke, and set free
those who have been crushed? Is it not sharing your food with the
hungry, taking the homeless poor into your house, clothing the naked
when you meet them and never evading a duty to your kinsfolk? If you
cease to pervert justice, to point the accusing finger and lay false
charges, if you feed the hungry from your own plenty and satisfy the
needs of the wretched, then your light will rise like dawn out of
darkness and your dusk be like noonday. The Lord will be your guide
continually and will give you strength of limb. You will be like a
well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. You shall be
called Rebuilder of broken walls, Restorer of houses in ruins. |
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Prayer for Peace by Dorothy Gundling,
Bluffton, South Carolina |
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It is wonderful, O Lord, to know that you are ever with
us to hear our prayers. We come to you this afternoon with prayerful
hearts. Many times we have, through our own inability to understand your
tender love and mercy, turned to our own ways. But today we are mindful
of your faithfulness.
Among the many countries of the world are many good people who, even as
we pray, are praying to you. We join our hearts and prayers with them
for the needs which are so evident this day. We pray today for peace.
Not the peace that comes from self aggrandizement, but the peace that
comes with the giving of ourselves completely to your good purposes
throughout the world.
As seekers of world peace, may new paths be opened whereby your purposes
may be accomplished. Many say this is folly, that world peace is
unattainable. We, however, believe that you would not expect us to do
the impossible. We also believe that the peace we pray for, can in fact,
be accomplished through the workings of your spirit and our desire to
bring about peace and justice for all.
O Holy Father, we pray our prayer for peace in the name of Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Savior. Amen. |
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Hymn - Just As I Am, Without One Plea -
Hymns of the Saints #119 |
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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 the earth and those who dwell thereon, we
thank you for your mercy, your forgiveness, and your plan for all of
creation to be at peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for divine forgiveness when we have not been compassionate or
loving or just. We pray for courage to be your presence in the world,
and to give what you ask of us. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Hear our prayer, Merciful God, as we pray for others who are victims of
abuse, neglect, hatred, and illness. We pray for those who suffer the
destruction and desolation of war or human selfishness. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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This day, we hold to the light of God's love and blessing Vatican City.
We ask that you abide with the peacemakers in Vatican City as they work
to build the lasting peace they are longing for. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Eternal God, we confess that often we have failed to be obedient:
We have followed our will rather than your will,
We have broken your law,
We have rebelled against your love,
We have remained distant from our neighbors,
We have ignored the cry of the needy.
Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience through Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Prayers and Readings for Worship, Judy Judd |
| 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 lift our hearts and minds and voices in honor and praise to you, God
of Peace. |
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| Sending Forth |
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Our service is ended for today. We invite you to leave
quietly or remain to pray or meditate for as long as you may wish.
May we be the people of peace we are called to be. Let us go forth from
this place and serve the Lord in peace. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
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