Wallace B. Smith, church President from 1978—1996, presented instructions to the 1984 World Conference regarding building the Temple in Independence, Missouri. Included in this counsel are words that set the tone for the building: “The Temple shall be dedicated to the pursuit of peace. It shall be for reconciliation and healing of the spirit” (Doctrine and Covenants 156:5a).

The Daily Prayer for Peace is a powerful witness of Community of Christ’s commitment to peace. Such regular, public expression symbolizes the church’s unrelenting pursuit of peace as God’s intent for a bruised and divided world.

The Daily Prayer for Peace has impact far beyond the church, its members, and the people who gather each day to experience the prayer. The congregation at the Temple is joined by numerous others from wherever they live and the entire world listens as this Temple becomes known as a place where each day the concern for peace is upheld in prayer.

The service is held in the Temple Sanctuary where the spoken voice of prayer rises almost 200 feet into the magnificent Temple spire, reaching out to the heavens and the earth. The 1,600-seat Sanctuary always has room to symbolically accommodate those around the world who join us in the prayers.

The prayer begins at 1:00 p.m. central time each day. Around the world, interested people know that we are praying for peace at the Temple, and can pause for a moment of silent prayer. The service lasts approximately 15 minutes.

Each day a prayer is offered for a specific country based on the World Council of Churches’ ecumenical prayer cycle, which joins our prayers with that of even more Christians throughout the world.

The standard order of service follows. Elements may vary day to day:

• Gathering in Silence
• Call to Prayer
• Lighting of Candle
• Invitation
• Scripture Reading
• Prayer for Peace
• Prayers of the People
• Hymn
• Benediction
• Postlude

Following is an explanation of each item in the order of service:

Gathering in Silence occurs prior to the beginning of the service. Worshipers are encouraged to enter the Sanctuary via the Worshiper’s Path. Generally there is no organ or other instrumental prelude. The presider and other worship leaders enter the Sanctuary just prior to the service and sit with the congregation near the front.

The Call to Prayer is sounded on a chime or other instrument, about 30 seconds before the service begins. The conclusion of the chime is the signal for the candle lighter to proceed to the rostrum to light the candle.

The Candle Lighting signals the formal beginning of the service. The candle is of sufficient size to be seen throughout the room. The presider moves from their place in the congregation up the rostrum steps. The candle is lit and the presider begins the welcome. The candle remains lit all day and is extinguished when the building is closed for the night.

The brief Invitation to worship is read by the presider from the rostrum. An example is:
“We light this candle as a symbol of our commitment to a just and peaceful world. May the peace of the God who has called us here be with us. Let us worship together.”

An approximately one-minute long Reading is shared from the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, or scripture from another religion. Scriptures focus on peace, justice, reconciliation, and related themes. On occasion, the scripture may be only a single verse supplemented by a reading from a great piece of inspirational literature selected for its emphasis on peace.

The Prayer for Peace is approximately one minute long. It is generally an original submission written in advance by a church member or friend, but previously published prayers may be used on occasion.

The Prayers of the People last approximately two minutes. This includes prayer statements holding up the needs of various individuals, groups, nations, etc.—each followed by about 20 seconds of silence. Prayers for people, groups, or events of current worldwide interest are sometimes added. Time is allotted for repentance and for worshipers to express their own concerns silently.

When a Hymn is used, it may be sung by the congregation or a soloist. The hymn is selected from Hymns of the Saints, Sing for Peace, Sing a New Song, or By Request (available in pews) or from another source.

A statement of Benediction is pronounced by the presider as the last formal act of the service. An example is, “May the God of hope fill you with all the joy and peace that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit” (adapted from Romans 15:13).

The presider and any others on the rostrum return to the congregation. Worshipers are invited to remain the sanctuary after the service has ended to pray or meditate, leaving at their discretion. When there is a Postlude it is played on organ, piano, or other instrument, and begins immediately after the benediction. It lasts about two to three minutes and is usually reflective in mood.