Guyana

Daily Prayer
for Peace

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Gathering in Silence

Call to Prayer

Lighting of Candle

Welcome to this sacred place of peace and prayer, and thank you for making time to pray with us.  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 Guyana in our prayers.  Located in South America, Guyana achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1966 and became a republic in 1970.  Guyana has immense waterfalls, vast tropical rainforest and savanna teeming with wildlife.  Globalization and neoliberal economics dictate that Guyana's pristine environment will be under intense pressure from transnational companies seeking logging and mining concessions for the foreseeable future. These environmental issues are not the only threats to present-day Guyana. Higher crime rates, worsening poverty and political instability contribute to the troubles.  Guyana's high debt burden to foreign creditors and territorial disputes with Suriname and Venezuela continue to hamper the government.

Scripture Reading

Romans 12:18 NIV

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Prayer for Peace

by Avis Manchester, Machias, Maine

Our Creator,

Bless this day. Guide us with your Holy Spirit.  Guide our thoughts and our footsteps.  Thank you for all the blessings that you have given us.

I pray for peace.  We have to have peace within us, dear Lord, before there can be peace in the world.

Fill us with your love and understanding.  Bless us with your Holy Spirit that we will go forward in peace.

I ask these things in your holy and precious name.  Amen.

Hymn

Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service — Hymns of the Saints #17

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.

The People Pray in Silence

Let us join in a common confession of our sins: for the arrogance of our pride of race, of nation, and of class, by which we put down others and thus break the community of the human family, in defiance of your will. 

The People Pray in Silence

We ask your forgiveness for the sin of our self-concern, and neglect of our neighbor's needs, near and far.  We ask your forgiveness for our casual and careless disdain for the good earth. We yearn to be good stewards.

The People Pray in Silence

We ask your watchcare and blessing for the people of Guyana.   Help them, as well as us, to learn peaceful ways to settle our differences. May pride of self not keep us from loving all people in their quest for self-sufficiency and personhood in your eyes.

The People Pray in Silence

We ask divine blessing upon the needs and concerns of those gathered here this day. Hear our petitions, we humbly ask.

The People Pray in Silence

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. 

The People Pray in Silence

We pray in the name of the Giver of Peace.  Amen

Sending Forth

We conclude our service for 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.

Go in the divine peace that is your gift from our God.

Ministry of Music