Daily Prayer for Peace  | |
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Daily Prayer for Peace
Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Iran
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Lonely
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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 place of sanctuary and peace. 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 remember the people of Iran in our prayers. Located in the
Middle East, the country was known as Persia until 1935. Iran became an
Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling shah was forced into exile.
War with Iraq from 1980 to 1988 cost a million Iranian lives and
devastated the economy. Iran confronts political and social
transformation as some promote liberal ideas, while others hold fast to
established Islamic traditions. An estimated seven million Iranians have
access to the Internet, which has been used to circumvent government
censorship. Persian carpets are Iran's most famous cultural export,
dating back to the 5th century BC, and are still an integral part of
religious and cultural festivals (and the economy).
As we light the Candle of Peace, let us reflect on the absence of peace
and its effect on our world. (silence) Now let us worship together as we
seek new ways to pursue peace and dedicate ourselves to ongoing peace. |
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| Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 18:2n |
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Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk
in the meekness of my Spirit and you shall have peace in me. |
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Prayer for Peace by David Brock, Independence,
Missouri |
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Teach us, we pray,
Peace-Speaking God,
the language of Shalom.
We have not yet learned
your ancient, unfamiliar tongue.
Our accent is that of the foreigner.
Our gestures are awkward.
Tongues tangle, throats hurt,
and mouths tire of trying
to shape so many new sounds.
But we are willing to start
at the beginning; Learners
asking for help; practicing again
and again, and once again
until we hear your inflection
in our own voice, catch
your nuance in new words
from patient teachers of peace.
One day, slowly, haltingly
may we hear in our own voice
the faint hint of music,
the rhythmic beauty
of the language of peace.
May our words be accompanied
by gesture of hands
and movement of feet.
Letter by syllable by word
may we speak the vision
of your new world into being.
Help us say, “forgive me, please,”
to our families. Teach us
to pronounce “healing”
in hospital rooms, to plead
“reconcile” in our places of work,
to proclaim “justice” when we call
our government’s representatives.
Then, in the dark of our own
weary nights, Lord, will you
please whisper in us, “Shalom”?
God, Eternal Word of peace,
speak the language of Shalom through us,
stanza by stanza into the world*, we pray,
in Jesus Name. AMEN.
*Denise Levertov, from “Making Peace,” Breathing the
Water, New Direction, 1987] |
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Hymn - Lord, I Give You - (vs.1-5) Sing
for Peace #32 |
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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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Great God of all nations, races, and creeds, we praise
you. You are our refuge in times of trial and our joy in times of
celebration. We thank you and praise you. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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This day we especially pray for your blessings on the people and the
nation of Iran. May they find the peace that only you may give. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We acknowledge those times when we have been less than you created us to
be. Heal our brokenness, and lead us into paths of peace as we praise
you. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We would also remember those who hunger and thirst for food, knowledge,
friends, shelter, or clothing. Open our hearts so we will be part of the
solution, not the cause of hurt in our world. |
| 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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O God of Peace, may your truth radiate from this place as we seek to be
your people of peace in the world. Amen.
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| Sending Forth |
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We conclude our service 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 from this house and be the people of peace we are called to
be. May the God of all people help us to keep our good resolves this
day.
Go in peace. |
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| Ministry of Music |
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