Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Egypt
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Welcome to this sacred place
and thank you for coming to share in this time of prayer for peace. 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 Egypt in our prayers. Located in
northern Africa, Egypt acquired full sovereignty from the United Kingdom
following World War II. Aswan High Dam, completed in 1971, provides
hydroelectricity, as well as a controlled water supply for year-round
irrigation and desert reclamation. The new Sheikh Zayed Canal diverts
water from Lake Nasser to create new farmland. A rapidly growing
population and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources
and stress society. The government has struggled to ready the economy
for the new millennium through economic reform and massive investment in
communications and physical infrastructure. Although the government also
struggles with violence by Islamic militants, Egypt remains relatively
stable with low unemployment, rising literacy rates and increasing
privatization of the economy.
We greet you in the name of God who has called us to worship. May the
light from our candle of peace illumine our hearts, open our minds, and
challenge us to new avenues of peace as we worship together. |
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| Scripture Reading: Psalm 46:1-3 IV |
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God is our refuge and strength, a present
help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. There shall be a river,
whose streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of
the tabernacle of the Most High. “Be still, and know that I am God; I
will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts shall be with us, the
God of Jacob is our refuge. |
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Prayer for Peace by Karen Anne Smith,
Ludington, Michigan |
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Our Creator and Sustainer of Life,
Forgive us our human frailty. Cleanse us of all resentment that we may
truly become your children. We love your creation and claim all people
as family. Our hearts ache to relieve the suffering in our world, to
bring the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the bruised and broken
hearted. But as much as we love each person, we know that you love them
even more. Your love is pure, unfathomable and unfailing.
Increase our love, dear Father, to include those who are "enmeshed in
sin", snared by the darkness of hate. These are also your children and
part of our family. Fill our hearts with compassion that overcomes
anger. Please teach us how to listen to your direction that we may
become instruments of peace, children of God.
In the name of Jesus the Living Christ we pray. Amen. |
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Hymn - Angels from the Realms of Glory -
Hymns of the Saints #231 |
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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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Creator God, we praise you and give you thanks because
you not only set into motion all creation, but you continue to guide and
direct and sustain that creation. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We ask divine forgiveness of our selfishness and pride which has made us
lesser than you created us to be. Please teach us of your peace, we
pray. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Many times a small band of people has made a great change in society
that has overcome the complacent majority. Help us to be such "changers"
as we work for peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We would also remember, and ask your continued guidance for, the small
nation of United Arab Emirates. We thank you for all people there who
are seeking peace. May they be guided even as the ancient wise men were
guided by the star. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Guide all earth’s people so that we will use
your creation in a just and equitable way. We desire that none go
hungry, cold, or lonely. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We bring to you our special needs and
concerns at this time. Hear us we pray. |
| 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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Our God and our friend, we give you praise, and honor, and glory, as we
offer ourselves to be instruments of your peace on earth. We pray in
Jesus' name. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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Our service concludes 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.
May the peace we claim for ourselves grow and spread throughout the
whole earth. May the God in whose name we have met keep us to fulfill
our promises to be peaceful in our world. Go in peace. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
