Netherlands
Daily Prayer for Peace
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of Candle
Invitation |
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Good afternoon. I welcome you to this time of worship and prayer in the name of Jesus Christ who is our peace and the peace of this world. 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 the Netherlands in our prayers. Located in Western Europe, the Netherlands is a modern, industrialized nation and a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the European Community, and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999. According to results published by the Organization for Co-operation and Development in May of 2011, the Netherlands was ranked as the ‘happiest’ country. May God’s spirit of love and peace guide our thoughts and bless our time together as we unite in celebrating the peace of Christ that is for all creation. |
Scripture Reading |
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What is the great commandment in the law? And Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." |
Prayer for Peace |
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God, we gather here today to be with each other and with you. We come to you out of backgrounds that range from dependence upon you to independence from you. We come deeply committed to principles of living in a world where freedom is cherished and we strive to fulfill the needs, the hopes and dreams for our children, ourselves, our neighbors and our nations. Even though our history oscillates consistently between the poles of peace and war, between community and isolationism, between selflessness and selfishness, between hope and cynicism, we come to you. You who has shared our triumphs and wept through our lost opportunities, you simply welcome us back with your love and compassion. Yet, somehow as we attempt to live out our visions of equality, opportunity, security, or in other words, our dream of peace, they slip through our grasp because of our selfish need for power, control and self-centeredness. God, we understand our short comings and yet feel secure enough in our relationship with you to pray for guidance and inspiration to overcome our inability to transcend self. In order to strive for the slippery vision of peace, we pray for courage to name and redress injustice. We ask for wisdom to understand the difference between vindictiveness and justice. Help us to use the tools of commitment, hope, and love to stretch out our arms for peace even when peace seems beyond our grasp and only a painful dream. God, we ask much of you. And in this moment of tranquil relationship, we dare ask that your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. God, help us keep the vision alive. Grant us the will to try. Inspire us to see what can be and recognize what was. It is in the name of Christ Jesus we come, and in the name of Christ Jesus we pray, and in the name of Christ Jesus we leave our prayer in your memory. Amen. |
Hymn |
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Prayers of the People |
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O God of love and peace, we come to you from many circumstances and experience you in different ways. Our praise is sometimes lived out loud and sometimes offered in reverent silence. At this moment, when we are united in a common desire to know and share your true and lasting peace, we offer our most humble thanks for all that you are. |
The People Pray in Silence |
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Forgive us for pride and prejudice which separate us from you and from each other. Fill us, O Lord, with your perfect love which casts out fear, and bind us together in that unity. |
The People Pray in Silence |
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We uphold for your blessing the nation and people of The Netherlands. Guide and bless all who promote communities of justice and peace in all nations. |
The People Pray in Silence |
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We remember the needs and concerns of those gathered here and all who join in this time of prayer for peace. We recognize our need for your peace in our lives and desire to respond more fully to the call to share your peace with others. |
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. |
The People Pray in Silence |
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We thank you and praise you for love that sustains us, for wisdom that directs us, and for desire that beckons us toward peace in our world. In the name of Jesus the Christ we pray, Amen. |
Sending Forth |
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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. |
Ministry of Music |
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