Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Denmark
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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We greet you in the name of the
Prince of Peace who calls us to worship. Thank you for your gift of
presence. Each day in this Temple dedicated to the pursuit of peace, we
pray to God for peace in our world. In addition, each day we pray for a
different country.
Today we will hold up the people of Denmark in our prayers. Located in
northern Europe, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation
that is participating in the political and economic integration of
Europe. The people of Denmark have forged a society that stands as a
benchmark of civilization, with progressive policies, widespread
tolerance and a liberal social-welfare system. Denmark has earned more
from manufacturing than from agriculture since the 1960s. Devastation of
lobster colonies by industrial pollution has prompted imposition of some
of the world's strictest environmental standards. More and more Danes
are using alternative energy sources—wind power, solar energy, and
geothermal heat—for environmental and economic reasons. Wind is an
increasingly important source of energy in Denmark, and windmills are an
important export.
Today is the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of
Aggression. Today we come to lift to God in our prayers those children
who have no choice in what happens to them. There are so many places in
our world where children are the ultimate victims – from war torn
countries to embattled home lives. We lift these children up to you God.
It is our prayer that someday children everywhere may live in a world
where they can play free from the fear of bombs or threats of violence.
We pray for the children a world free from hatred where there is love
enough for all.
Christ, whose presence is like daybreak and shines in the darkness of
all our pain and fear, calls us to worship. May the light of Christ fill
our hearts this day. |
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| Reading: Colossians 1:19-20 |
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God wanted all perfection to be found in
Christ,
and all things to be reconciled to God through Christ—
everything in heaven and everything on earth—
when Christ made peace
by dying on the cross. |
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Prayer for Peace by Marge Nilsen, Portland,
Oregon |
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Gracious God,
We come today to this place at this hour in need of your sustaining love
and gift of understanding. Our hearts are wrenched with sorrow and
remorse for our brothers and sisters throughout the world who live in
constant fear and distress of the spirit.
Our arms and hearts especially yearn to hold and comfort the children.
They are such innocent victims of human inhumanity. We struggle to
understand the fearsome power of greed and hate. We cannot and do not
want to accept its inevitability as long as there are persons and
systems that reject your ways.
We feel so helpless and yet somewhat guilty. We know that the remedy for
these situations is the gospel of Jesus Christ. We know and have
witnessed the power of the message that changes lives. We know
personally the power of relationships in the spirit of Christ that
brings true peace and hope to hearts and souls.
We confess our failure, our inadequacy, to bring the message in
meaningful and affirmative ways. We get sidetracked with issues of our
own comfort and welfare.
Our prayer is twofold. Help us, Lord, help us to get beyond ourselves
and to respond to your invitation to join you in your desires to bring
all people to you, to knowledge of the gospel of Christ. Help us also to
have the wisdom and strength of purpose to become involved in our
communities and our world to affect policy and program in our social,
political, and economical affairs that will reflect your constant love
and care for your creation everywhere.
Lord, please see beyond our mere words to the real desires of our hearts
and add the power of your spirit to their intent. We would be open to
the guidance of your spirit. We would be instruments of peace and
redemption in this wonderful world you have given us.
In Christ's name we pray, Amen. |
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Hymn - O God, Our Help in Ages Past -
Hymns of the Saints #200 |
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Prayers of the People
Please join us now, praying the Prayers of the People. During the
moments of silence, you are invited to pray silently or meditate. |
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We praise you, God, for this day and its blessings, for
our family and friends who sustain us, for abilities to earn our daily
bread, and for the gift of Jesus Christ who leads us toward peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We bow before you in repentance of our sins. Help us to be ever more
aware of those things we should omit from our lives, as well as those
actions we should add to our living. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We especially ask your blessing on the nation and the people of Denmark.
Guide them and give them assurance that people in all nations seek
peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We lift up to you the children of the world to be blessed and loved
wherever they may be. Help us be aware of the needs and learn to fill
the spaces of neglect that many endure. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We are aware of inequalities in our world. Touch the lives of world
leaders that they will make wise decisions to benefit all nations—not
just their own. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We ask your blessing on the concerns and needs of all gathered here this
day. |
| 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.
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| The People Pray in Silence |
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Hear our prayer, O Lord, and in your mercy answer us. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We conclude our service for today with Ministry of
Music. We invite you to remain in the quiet of this place to pray or
meditate for as long as you may wish.
Let us go forth and be the peacemakers and peacekeepers that we are
called to be. Christ, the Prince of Peace, will guide you and bless you
for your calling. Amen. |
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| Postlude |
