Today in our prayers we remember the people of Hungary.

In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to this time of prayer. The “Temple [that] calls the entire church to become a sanctuary of Christ’s peace, where people from all nations, ethnicities, and life circumstances can be gathered into a spiritual home without dividing walls.”

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:8c

Hungary is in Central Europe, enclosed by Slovakia, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Austria, and Ukraine.

Scripture Reading—Psalm 29:1-2, 11 NRSV

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,

  ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;

  worship the Lord in holy splendor. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the

Lord bless his people with peace!

Prayer for Peace

Gina DeBarthe

Dear Lord, help us to listen.

Help us listen to the angry voices, acknowledging their need for justice.

Help us listen to those who are afraid, acknowledging their need for security.

Help us listen to those who despair, acknowledging their need for hope

Help us listen to those who hate, acknowledging their need for love

Help us listen for your voice. May your voice guide us to find your peace within ourselves and within our world.

Hymn

“Help Us Accept Each Other”

Community of Christ Sings 333

Prayers of the People

As we enter a time of guided prayer, meditation, and musical reflection, you are invited to offer silent prayers or meditate during the moments of quiet. The context for our Prayers of the People begin with ourselves and move outward, in rippling waves to those we know and love, to strangers and enemies, to the entire world, to all of creation.

Will you join with me in this time of prayer and meditation acknowledging your soul’s yearning for God’s presence and peace? Silently join your heart with God’s.

Pause.

O God of love, grant us your peace. We struggle with insecurities and fears, weighed down with issues that affect our sense of worth and wholeness. Grant us peace that calms the inner turmoil of our souls and affirms that we are beloved.

Pause.

O God of life, grant us your peace. We strive for relationships that are fair, equitable and filled with compassion, yet we often find ourselves enslaved in conflicts with others, even those we love. Grant us the strength to listen with our hearts first that we may grow in deeper connection with those whom we call friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family.

Pause.

O God of hope, grant us your peace. We have grown weary of the sounds of war, violence, oppression and diminishment of men, women and children, yet we fail to heed your urgent invitation to act for justice. Grant us the courage to extend our hands in acts of mercy, service, and peacemaking. We remember all nations, including Hungary, the country we pray for today.

Pause.

O God of all creation, grant us your peace. We understand that we are made of the same substance as all living things, yet fail to grasp your vision of the sacredness of creation. Make us more aware and weave us into oneness. Grant us a glimpse of your love for creation in all its forms and the compassion to act in ways that respect and honor the genius of your universe.

Pause.

O God of peace, we offer ourselves as vessels of your grace and peace, so that from where we stand, waves of your loving presence will emanate to bless your world. In and through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Musical Reflection

Sending Forth

Live simply. Value others.

Honor the Earth. Walk in sacred footsteps.

Go in peace.