Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Italy
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Good afternoon. It is good to
welcome you to this time of prayer and meditation in this sacred place.
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 Italy in our prayers. Located in
southern Europe, Italy became a nation-state belatedly - in 1861. A
democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival
followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic
Community. It has been at the forefront of European economic and
political unification, joining the European Monetary Union in 1999.
Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime,
corruption, high unemployment, and the low incomes and technical
standards of southern Italy compared with the more prosperous north. The
success of local activism, including the halting of the nation's nuclear
power program, mobilizes Italy's "green" political parties. Yet
industrial and agricultural pollution of rivers remains a problem.
Roman, medieval, and Renaissance monuments in Rome, Venice, and Florence
are disintegrating under assault from pollution, largely exhaust from
automobiles.
It is always good to be with others as we consider the cause of peace in
a peace-hungry world. Thank you for your gift of presence. |
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| Scripture Reading: Isaiah 33:5-6 adapted |
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The Lord is exalted and dwells on high. You
will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. You will be the sure
foundation for our times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and
knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. |
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Prayer for Peace by Clifford Carlson,
Independence, Missouri |
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O God, our Heavenly Father,
We come again to pray for peace. Help us to be sensitive to your Spirit
as it calls us to be instruments of peace making.
May we be touched by an understanding of what you are calling us to do.
We feel so inadequate as we try to bring peace to persons or communities
in conflict.
We even sense the lack of peace within ourselves.
We pray, but feel we make no impact in situations of distress. We pray
for peace, but it is not there.
However, Father, we know you continue to ask us to be instruments of
peace in places where we find ourselves. You want us to cause peace to
grow in places where we are.
We need your insight as we try to do your will, as we try to let peace
grow and as we give you the honor and the glory.
Help us to see how we can be peacemakers.
We pray in Jesus name. Amen |
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Hymn - Holy Spirit, Come with Power
- Hymns of the Saints #287 |
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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 the earth and those who dwell thereon, we
pray that the light of peace will heal the evil places of the earth. For
there are many who suffer because of injustice and disrespect. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We hold to the light of God's love and healing the people of all
religions or no religion who dwell in Italy. Be with the leaders there
that they may consider the good of the people and their country in all
they do. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for courage to be your presence in actions of justice,
compassion, tenderness, and love. We pray for divine forgiveness when we
have not been compassionate or loving or just. May your light fill our
being, O God, as we resolve to be reflection of that light in the world. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Hear our prayer, O God, as we pray for those who are victims of abuse,
neglect, hatred, and illness. May your light fill all the world, O God,
and teach us to become advocates for those victims. |
| 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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Let us thank God that in the midst of incredible difficulties, people
still have courage, determination, and hope. We lift our hearts and
minds and voices in honor, praise, and glory to you, great God of peace.
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.
And now may that Spirit of Love and Peace which has visited us this hour
go with you as the needs of the world call for your attention. May that
Spirit abide in you as you truly become peacemakers. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
