Serbia

Invitation

In the name of Jesus Christ, I welcome all who are gathered in this sacred place, and all who join us around the world in praying for peace and are represented by the empty seats among us.

Each day in this Temple dedicated to the pursuit of peace, we pray for peace and uphold one of the nations of the world.

Today we remember the people of Serbia in our prayers.  Located in southeastern Europe, Serbia is a country of varied and beautiful landscapes.  In 2003 the former Yugoslavia became the union of Serbia and Montenegro, and in 2007, the two separated their democratic union.  Tensions still exist between Serbia and Kosovo following Kosovo’s independence from Serbia.

We are united with the people of Serbia, and all nations, by God’s love and desire for all creation to be at peace.  May our time together in worship and prayer strengthen and renew us to share the peace of Christ with all.

Scripture Reading
—Doctrine and Covenants 161:2b

Fulfill the purposes of the Temple by making its ministries manifest in your hearts.  It was built from your sacrifices and searching over many generations.  Let it stand as a towering symbol of a people who knew injustice and strife on the frontier and who now seek the peace of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Prayer for Peace
— Wallace B. Smith, Independence, Missouri, USA

Eternal God, present in all of life that is significant and holy, hear us now as we lift our voices in thanksgiving and praise, in confession, and in supplication.

We give thanks for your word of encouragement that enables us to face each new day.  We also thank you for your word of faithfulness that gives us hope for the future.  And we give thanks for your word of guidance that directs us as we seek to better understand your ways.

Gracious God, deliver us from the shallowness of our commitments, from the thousand ways our strivings separate us from each other.  And most of all, deliver us from our fears that alienate us from you.

O God of faith, hear our prayer as we light our flame of peace and love at this hour and in this sacred place.  May the flame here kindled grow within each heart, that all may sense more fully your spirit in the warmth of our concern for one another.  Refresh us when we grow weary of opposing injustice and oppression, terrorism and war, and send us forth from this experience of dialogue and worship strengthened to bind up the wounds that afflict our world.

Grant us peace, O God - not the peace of slumber, but of quiet confidence in the triumph of your word.  For the sake of all your creation, we pray.  Amen.

Hymn
Gather Us In - Sing for Peace #4

Prayers of the People
Please join us now, praying the “Prayers of the People. During the moments of quiet, you are invited to pray silently or meditate.

Thank you, God, for the warmth and peace we feel in your loving presence.  As we find comfort in this sanctuary of peace, prepare us to be a sanctuary of your peace for others.

The People Pray in Silence

We know we sin and fall short of being all you have created us to be.  Forgive us and help us embrace the fullness of your grace and mercy.

The People Pray in Silence

We uphold for your blessing of peace the nation and the people of Serbia.  Guide their leaders and people as they strive to find peaceful resolution to tensions regarding Kosovo.  Bless all who are not bound by nations’ borders but see all neighbors as brothers and sisters.

The People Pray in Silence

We pray for the needs and concerns of those gathered here this day.  May our hearts and minds be open to your guiding spirit and to your presence of wholeness and peace.

The People Pray in Silence

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.

The People Pray in Silence

May your spirit of love and peace flow in and through us as we strive to be instruments of your peace in the world.  Amen.

Sending Forth

Our service concludes with ministry of music, after which you are invited to remain in the quiet of this place and pray or meditate as long as you wish.

As we go from this sacred place and this time of worship and prayer, let us share the peace, reconciliation and healing of God’s love that is for all the world.

Ministry of Music