Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Mongolia
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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It is good to welcome you to
this sacred place, and we thank you for coming to share in this time of
prayer. 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 Mongolia in our prayers. Located in
Northern Asia, Mongolia won its independence from China in 1921.
Mongolia was founded as a communist country in 1924, but in 1990 the
communists dropped their monopoly, and multiparty elections were held.
The nation elected its first noncommunist government in 1996. While the
country now has a ruling democratic coalition, independence has cost
them dearly. Currently there is lack of infrastructure and support, and
the country is near starvation as the Mongolian way of life is nomadic
and intimately connected with the ways of animals. Change has been
difficult for the people, and most Mongolians continue to live in a ger,
a large, white felt tent that can be moved easily and has a universal
layout: the door always faces south; towards the back and a little to
the west is the place of honor set aside for guests. Legendary Mongolian
horsemen still ride herd on vast grasslands that support camels, sheep,
and horses.
As we gaze upon our lighted candle, let us think upon other times and
places where God’s truth has burst forth as the way from darkness into
light. |
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| Scripture Reading: Isaiah 58:6-12 adapted |
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Is not this what I require of you, to loose
the fetters of injustice, to untie the knots of the yoke, and set free
those who have been crushed? Is it not sharing your food with the
hungry, taking the homeless poor into your house, clothing the naked
when you meet them and never evading a duty to your kinsfolk? If you
cease to pervert justice, to point the accusing finger and lay false
charges, if you feed the hungry from your own plenty and satisfy the
needs of the wretched, then your light will rise like dawn out of
darkness and your dusk be like noonday. The Lord will be your guide
continually and will give you strength of limb. You will be like a
well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. You shall be
called Rebuilder of broken walls, Restorer of houses in ruins. |
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Prayer for Peace by Father Timothy Schoen,
Conception, Missouri |
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Almighty and eternal God,
creator of the universe,
author of the order which governs all the ages,
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
you have revealed to us
that those who work for peace
will truly be called your children.
You have given all peoples one common origin,
and your will is to gather them
as one family in yourself.
Fill the hearts of all men and women
with the fire of your love
and the desire to ensure justice
for all their brothers and sisters.
Help us to work without ceasing for that justice
which alone can bring true and lasting peace.
May those who are already at peace with one another
hold fast to the good will that unites them;
may those who are still enemies
forget their hatred and be healed.
Enable us all to receive with grateful hearts
that peace which the world cannot give
and which surpasses all human understanding.
We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. |
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Hymn - How Can Creation's Voice Be Still -
Hymns of the Saints #300 |
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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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When the Psalmist exclaimed about God, "Thou art greatly
to be praised" he was talking from experience. Out of our experience let
us share our feelings about God with God. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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New encounters with God bring fresh awareness of God's call to move into
new ways of living. Leaving is never easy but especially difficult when
where we are has been beneficial. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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The people of Mongolia work and play, eat and sleep, dream of peace as
they long for freedom from threats of violence. Watch over them, we ask. |
| 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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God, sometimes our human problems seem to create impossible barriers.
Our souls wilt, our spirits droop. Help us to be a Barnabus for each
other. May the word of encouragement and the sustaining prayer be our
gifts to you today. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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Our service will conclude with ministry of music. You
are invited to remain to pray or meditate in the quiet of this place for
as long as you may wish.
As you leave the sanctuary together, be very aware that Jesus will come
to walk with you. Go in hope and peace. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
