Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of Candle

Invitation

Good afternoon.  I greet you in the name of Jesus Christ and welcome you to    this time of worship and prayer for peace.

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

Today we remember the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is a state located in Central Africa.  Although the country imports a quarter of its food, and more than 200 ethnic groups endure one of the world's lowest living standards, DRC is considered one of the world’s richest countries regarding natural resources.  The Second Congo War, beginning in 1998 and sometimes referred to as the “African World War,” devastated the country, involved seven foreign armies and is the world’s deadliest conflict since World War II, killing almost 5.4 million people.  Despite the signing of peace accords in 2003, fighting continues in the east of the country, and the prevalence of rape and other sexual violence is described as the worst in the world.  The current government is working to unify the country.

February 20 is designated by the United Nations General Assembly as the World Day of Social Justice.  Observance of this day encourages supporting efforts of the international community in eradicating poverty, promoting full employment and decent work, gender equity, and access to social well-being and justice for all.  In the words of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, social justice is the foundation for national stability and global prosperity.

United as a global community, we affirm the worth of all persons and pursue justice, freedom and holistic peace for the people of all nations.

Scripture Reading
—Matthew 5:9, KJV

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

Prayer for Peace
— Author unknown, adapted from "Worships Works", May 1995

O God who has given us this land to be stewards over, and for gifts in abundance that we might be mindful of your will and do our work well, we thank you.  We thank you, too, for generations of life together and the traditions that both bind us together and keep us alert to others' differences.

We pray that all lands and all people may be productive, eager to learn and open hearted to strangers.

Deliver us from violence, discord and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from any other evil we might be tempted to perpetrate among ourselves or upon others.

Make us eager to live our liberties freely and as those brought together from many places and with many languages, gladly and gently.

Grant that leaders we elect, and those who rise to public esteem in other ways, may cultivate a keen sense of justice and be equally eager to seek peace where there is discord.

Whatever times may bring, grant that we never lose our trust in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hymn
This We Can Do - Sing for Peace #32

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.

In the midst of daily responsibilities, in deep awareness of personal concerns, and in the midst of world issues that burden us ‑ we bow our heads in gratitude that we have been counted worthy to bear the burdens of peace in our day.

The People Pray in Silence

We sense the awesome purity of God's holiness and we long to be truly free from the sin that separates us from you and from each other. Forgive us, we pray.

The People Pray in Silence

We uphold for your blessing of healing and peace the nation and people of the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Enlighten all people to know there cannot be lasting peace in the DRC, or any nation, without respecting the rights, dignity and precious worth of every human being.  Help us be the instruments of your peace in our own communities as we unite in prayer for the people of all nations.

The People Pray in Silence

Guide us as we unite with people around the world in pursuing social justice by working to abolish poverty, promote full employment and decent work, support gender equity and ensure justice and freedom for all persons.

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

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose peace is for all creation.  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.

May our lives reflect the light of Christ as we strive for justice and pursue peace for all persons.

Ministry of Music