Jamaica

Daily Prayer
for Peace

Would you like to learn more about Jamaica?
 Visit Lonely Planet.

Gathering in Silence

Call to Prayer

Lighting of Candle

It is good to welcome you to this sacred place, and thank you for sharing in this time of prayer for peace.  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 Jamaica in our prayers.  Located in the Caribbean, Jamaica gained full independence within the British Commonwealth in 1962. The island's somber history is rooted in the sugar-plantation economy and the slave era.  Modern Jamaica is a densely populated, poverty-ridden country that is struggling to escape dependency and debt.  Community of Christ has been established in Jamaica since 1989.

As we look upon the candle for peace, let us reflect on the history that led to the creation of this building on this piece of ground, and let us consider the temple we are building in our souls.

Scripture Reading

Psalms 9:7-11 IP

But you, Adonai, reign forever
    and have established your throne of judgment.
            You will judge the world in justice
    and govern the peoples with equity.
            For you, Adonai, are a refuge for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble.
            Those who know your Name trust in you,
    for you have never forsaken those who seek you, Adonai.
            Sing praise to Our God enthroned in Zion,
    declare God’s work among the nations!

Prayer for Peace

by Anonymous

I seek a heart that is attuned to listen to the sounds of human life - the murmurings of pain and struggle, the babble of confusion and doubt, the whispering of yearnings, the ecstatic outburst of joy and delight.

I seek a heart with an interior vision that "sees" beyond the exterior - the peacefulness of a life well spent, the prayerfulness of the quiet, the agony of the fearful, the loneliness of the complainer.

I seek a heart imbued with feeling that can penetrate closed walls: walls that shut out closeness, walls that prohibit friendship, walls that choke out life.

I seek a heart that can open new avenues to life by a recognition of goodness, a freeing of humanness, and an appreciation of God's wonders.

I seek a heart that is other-centered, motivated by love of my God, freely giving til' it hurts, joyfully surrendering selfish whims, peacefully touching life with beauty, gently walking in God's way.

Hymn

Make Us, O God, a Church That Shares — Hymns of the Saints #484

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

O God of Peace, we praise you and give thanks for your gentle, guiding calm in our lives. We give thanks for safety, food, shelter, and nations where we are free to pursue those things.

The People Pray in Silence

Forgive our sinful ways we humbly ask, and bring to our remembrance those actions and deeds we should be engaged in to foster peace in the world.

The People Pray in Silence

We lift up in prayer the well being of our friends and family, and ask that you will teach us to be better peacemakers within our communities.

The People Pray in Silence

This day we pray for the country of Jamaica.  Be with the leaders as they seek to bring justice to the people who suffer with no relief from hunger and self-worth.

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

Gracious God, our words seldom truly express our heart's desires.  There is a feeling that just beyond our words lies a truer expression of our prayers.  Hear that prayer, O God, and help us to discipline our hearts and our minds that our prayers come ever closer to expressing your will.  Amen.

Sending Forth

We will conclude our service today with Ministry of Music.  You are invited to remain to pray or meditate in the quiet of this place for as long as you may wish.

Just as the woman in the crowd was healed when she touched the hem of Jesus' garment, may you be healed.  Go and heal, in Jesus' name.

Ministry of Music