Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Rwanda
Would you like to learn
more
about Rwanda?
Visit
Lonely
Planet. |
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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We greet you in the name of
Jesus who calls us to peace, and thank you for joining us today in
worship. Each day in this sacred place, we pray to God for peace in our
world. In addition, each day we pray for a different country..
Today we hold up the people of Rwanda in our prayers. Located in Central
Africa, this tiny, land-locked country became independent in 1962.
Ethnic and civil strife have torn at the country for decades now, with
hundreds of thousands dead on both sides of the conflict and millions
more fleeing the country. Despite substantial international assistance
and political reforms - including Rwanda's first local elections in
March 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative
elections in August and September 2003, respectively - the country
continues to struggle to boost investment and agricultural output, and
ethnic reconciliation is complicated.
As we light our candle, may its flame cause us to open our minds, and
challenge us to new avenues of peace as we worship together. |
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| Scripture Reading: Psalm 33:1-5 IP |
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Sing out your joy to Our God, you who love
justice—praise is fitting for loyal hearts.
Praise Our God with the harp, and play music with a ten-stringed lyre!
Sing God a new song, play with all your skill, and with shouts of joy!
For the word of Our God is true and everything God does can be trusted.
Our God loves justice and right and fills the earth with love. |
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Prayer for Peace by Karen Freberg, Blue
Spring, Missouri |
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God of rainbows
blending colors
defining brilliance
God of earth and sky and sea
birthing each and all
named sacred
God of humans
varieties of skin and voice and land
calling each precious
God of presence
offering love and word and way
waiting response
God of tears
we grasp in our hands all that You offer
even as we
strip the land, deny space, silence the voices,
negate rights, desecrate resources
and treat others as less—much less
as their tears fall in the rivers
and we say—now—we have peace
and Your tears fall over all
God of mercy
wash out our eyes
redesign our words
refit our vision
realign our understanding
whisper again in our hearts
turn our faces to the east, west, north, south
God of peace
when love abounds
when each and all are worthy
when each has place and plenty
when justice reigns
when righteousness flourishes
when Jesus is our good news
then peace will be beyond our knowing. Amen. |
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Hymn - We’re Singing a Peace Song - Sing
for Peace #19 |
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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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God of all nations and all peoples, by whatever name you
are known, we come before you in praise and thanksgiving. Guide us into
the joy of being, and the desire for joyful peace for all peoples. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray particularly for the nation and people of Rwanda this day. Bless
them with strength, courage, and healing as they work to build a
peaceful future for their children. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for the concerns of those gathered here today. Great God, We
would also ask for your guidance as we try to live by your standards of
peace. Forgive our sins of selfishness and pride, we humbly 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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Hear our collective prayers, O God of Peace, that your peace may become
the peace of this world. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We conclude our service today with meditation music. You
are invited to remain to pray or meditate in the quiet of this place for
as long as you may wish.
May the God of peace be with us as we go forth to be peacemakers in our
world. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
