Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Switzerland |
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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We greet you in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and
welcome to 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 lift up the people of Switzerland in our prayers. Located
in central Europe, Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long
been honored by the major European powers. Independent since 1815,
Switzerland borders now encompass 26 cantons embracing three official
languages-German, French, and Italian. Switzerland's decision to apply
for membership in the European Union indicates its desire to compete in
global markets with exports that make up 44 percent of the nation's
economy. Elaborate civil defense measures and a strong militia back up
the Swiss policy of permanent neutrality. Although not a member of the
United Nations, Switzerland is firmly committed to world peace.
Blessed is the name of our God who is mindful of us as we worship in
faith and joy. |
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| Scripture Reading: Psalm 16:1-2, 7-11 IP |
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O God, keep me safe—you are my refuge!
I said to Our God, “You are my God; there is nothing good for me apart
from you.”
I praise Our God, who guides me; even at night my heart teaches me.
I’m always aware of your presence; you are right by my side, and nothing
can shake me.
My heart is happy and my tongue sings for joy; I feel completely safe
with you,
because you won’t abandon me to the Grave;
you won’t let your loved one see decay.
You show me the path to Life; your presence fills me with joy, and by
your side I find enduring pleasure. |
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Prayer for Peace by Wallace B. Smith,
Independence, Missouri |
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Eternal God, present in all of life that is significant and holy,
hear us now as we lift our voices in thanksgiving and praise, in
confession, and in supplication. We give thanks for your word of
encouragement that enables us to face each new day. We also thank you
for your word of faithfulness that gives us hope for the future. And we
give thanks for your word of guidance that directs us as we seek to
better understand your ways.
Gracious God, deliver us from the shallowness of our commitments, from
the thousand ways our strivings separate us from each other. And most of
all, deliver us from our fears that alienate us from you.
O God of faith, hear our prayer as we light our flame of peace and love
at this hour and in this sacred place. May the flame here kindled grow
within each heart, that all may sense more fully your spirit in the
warmth of our concern for one another. Refresh us when we grow weary of
opposing injustice and oppression, terrorism and war, and send us forth
from this experience of dialogue and worship strengthened to bind up the
wounds that afflict our world.
Grant us peace, O God - not the peace of slumber, but of quiet
confidence in the triumph of your word. For the sake of all your
creation, we pray. Amen. |
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Hymn - Lord of All Hopefulness -
Hymns of the Saints #185 |
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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 of sunrises, mountains, and seas, we praise you and come
before you with gratitude in our hearts. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Keep us alert for ways to practice peace. Open our eyes to new solutions
for old problems. Forgive us when we become discouraged by daily
challenges rather than seeing them as opportunities. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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The headlines of the morning newspapers bring news of disturbances and
unrest throughout the world. We pray for peace in a world that cries for
your peace. Bless the leaders and the people of Switzerland as they seek
to continue to learn of peace, we pray. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for those gathered here today. Bless us with the assurance of
your presence, making lighter the burdens which we bear. |
| 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 of all nations, we offer our hearts and minds and bodies to you to
be peacemakers in this world. Please bless our efforts, we pray in
Jesus’ name. 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.
May the God who is peace, the God who is hope, and the God who is love,
guide us and bless us as we go forth to serve the Divine purpose created
in us. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
