Dominican Republic

Daily Prayer for Peace

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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of Candle

Invitation
	In the name of Jesus Christ, I welcome you during this season of Lent, and invite you into this time of worship and prayer with God’s spirit of peace. 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 uphold the people of the Dominican Republic in our prayers. The Dominican Republic is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean region. Long known for its sugar production, the economy is now dominated by services. The nation is challenged by unemployment, government corruption, inequality of income and the devastation of hurricanes. The Dominican Republic has become the Caribbean’s largest tourist destination and music and sports are an important part of the Dominican culture. Community of Christ has been established in the Dominican Republic since 1981. As we continue in our Lenten journey, let us reflect on the sacrifice of Christ for the sake of all persons. As we uphold efforts of justice and peace for the people of the Dominican Republic, and all nations, let us be mindful of our role in pursuing peace in our homes and our communities.
Scripture Reading —1 Corinthians 1:3 IV
	Grace be unto you, and peace, from God…and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer for Peace — Dennis Coleman, Papillion, Nebraska, USA
	We gather in this sacred place to experience the warmth of your love, a love that we know extends to all of your creation. We gather here with singleness of purpose, God, to pray for peaceful coexistence within our world. We come from many corners of the world, each experiencing forms of unrest, conflict, fear, and violence. Yet we gather together with joy, knowing we draw into your presence. Lord, out of our humanness we feel overcome by our inability to resolve conflicts in our own life, let alone in the lives of those who surround us. Let us never forget that the power of a Christ-like love extended freely and compassionately, allows your spirit to work in and through us. We ask, Lord, for insight into ways that we can be instruments of your peace in our communities. Give us the courage to go forth with inner peace and confidence into righteous service, show our world that peace will exist when you are resident within each of us. Help us to always be willing to kneel down before you in a true repentance, while being willing to forgive others, even as you forgive us. With your Holy Spirit, cleanse our hearts of the prejudice and hate which separates us from each other. Let us know love for each other and peace with each other, we pray. Amen.
Hymn Lord, Thy Church on Earth Is Seeking - Hymns of the Saints #438
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 peace we pray to you, Lord God. We give thanks for the blessings of life and the gifts of creation. Guide us as we strive for justice and peace in our lives, with one another, and in your world.
The People Pray in Silence
	We confess to you our shortcomings. In your compassion forgive us our sins, and lead us in paths of righteousness and peace.
The People Pray in Silence
	We hold to your light of love and healing the children, youth and adults of the Dominican Republic. Bless all as they strive for justice in their leadership and for all their people. Bless all who work for peace in all nations.
The People Pray in Silence
	We pray for the just and proper use of earth’s resources and uphold the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression. May each person realize their invaluable worth as your precious children, and may all persons unite in efforts of justice, freedom and peace for the sake of our global human family.
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
	Fill us with the light of your grace and peace, we humbly pray. Amen.
Sending Forth
	Our service concludes with ministry of music, and you are invited to remain in the quiet of this place and pray or meditate as long as you wish. Go with a renewed sense of peace, and with a deep awareness of God’s call to live at peace with others and with all the world.
Ministry of Music