Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Zimbabwe
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Lonely
Planet.
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Welcome today to this sacred
place, and we greet you 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 Zimbabwe in our prayers. Located in
Southern Africa, this landlocked plateau country takes its name from
Great Zimbabwe, a fortified trading hub built in medieval times and used
by the majority Shona tribe. In 1965 the white minority government
unilaterally declared independence from Britain, as Rhodesia.
International sanctions and guerrilla warfare against the illegal regime
led to legitimately independent Zimbabwe in 1980. Zimbabwe has come
under increasing scrutiny due to the worrying increase in politically
motivated human rights abuses and a general climate of fear that
operates in the country. Currently the economy is in crisis, with high
inflation and unemployment rates, and millions of Zimbabweans are at
risk of famine.
Advent is the time of year when we cleanse our hearts and minds as we
prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. May God refine us like gold
and silver, and purify us as we light this candle, the symbol of our
commitment to a just and peaceful world. |
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| Scripture Reading: Luke 1:78-79 INT |
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Such is the tender mercy of our God, who
from on high
will bring the Rising Sun to visit us,
to give light to those who live
in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet
into the way of peace. |
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Prayer for Peace by Steven L. Shields,
Independence, Missouri |
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Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth,
How often do we forget the unity of Your creation? The world seems as
though it is coming apart at its seams, and we feel so helpless that we
fail to respond in any way except with utter despair. We become
complacent when our own needs have been fulfilled. We experience
compassion overload, and so tune out those very people, those very
places, and those very problems that we may well be able to alleviate.
We feel somehow detached from those "others" as long as they are far
enough off so as not to confront us with their needs in a direct manner.
Yet, you created humans as one species. Our destinies individually are
inextricably connected with our destiny collectively. May we always
remember this essential truth about ourselves.
In the midst of our helplessness, we need to be reminded that all great
things that have happened in our world have happened through the power
of one. We look to our recent history and see the examples of Gandhi,
Mother Teresa, and one lone man facing a tank in China--and we know that
one person really can make a difference. Each of us may be only one
person, but each of us has something to offer. Grant us courage, O God,
to stand up and exercise our power for others.
We acknowledge, O God, those of our sisters and brothers who are
suffering this day from strife and tyranny--we have soft hearts and
willing hands to do what we can do to help them. We think of our
children and families, and long to be with them. Our love for those we
know is great, magnify our love so that it can extend to even those we
do not know. We pray for our world that peace may prevail.
In the name of the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Divine Presence we
pray. Amen. |
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Hymn - It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
- Hymns of the Saints #256 |
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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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Our Creator, especially in this advent season, we praise
you for sending the Prince of Peace. Guide us as we seek to become more
like Jesus. Teach us to look around us for your presence and the peace
that you are restoring to us through the peacemakers wherever they may
be. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We praise you for families and friends, food and shelter, warmth and
joy, but we know there are many who don’t experience these good things
in life. We ask you to teach us to share your goodness. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for the nation of Zimbabwe, their leaders and their people.
Bless them with hope for peace as they live with death and destruction
that surrounds them. Lord, we know that with you all things are
possible. Guide the people of Zimbabwe as they seek to comfort the
bereaved and give hope to the hopeless. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We confess to you our shortcomings. In your mercy, we ask forgiveness
for things left undone or for things which hurt another. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We ask your blessing for those who are oppressed by poverty, disease,
exploitation, and prejudice. May each of us realize the worth of another
and not add to the distress of anyone. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We bring the special concerns of those gathered here this day for your
blessing. Thank you for your presence with us, and may we feel your
peace as we meditate with you. |
| 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 prayers, O God. Today we offer ourselves as instruments of your
peace. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We will conclude our service today 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.
Let us remember to be God's people in our world, and make a positive
statement for peace in our time. God will bless us as we seek to fulfill
divine purposes. |
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| Ministry of Music |
