Latvia

Daily Prayer
for Peace

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Gathering in Silence

Call to Prayer

Lighting of Candle

It is good to meet with you today in this sacred place, and we greet you in the name of our God who calls us to worship.  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, let us remember the people of Latvia in our prayers. Latvia is located between Estonia and Lithuania in Eastern Europe. It was occupied by the Germans during World War I, and the Soviets in 1940 and the Germans again in 1941. During this occupation, the Jewish population was virtually wiped out. There are still a number of unresolved issues, including tensions between Latvia and Russia regarding their mutual border, but today, Latvia has moved to embrace the free market, and the general mood of the country is optimistic.

Praise the Lord!  For it is good to sing praises to our God; for God is gracious, and a song of praise is seemly.

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 Bruce Lindgren, Independence, Missouri

Our Loving God,

We come before you, in the quiet of this place, to offer a prayer for peace in our world.

We are aware that there are many forces in our world that attempt to lead us into unnecessary and destructive conflict.  We are aware that, even now, uncounted numbers of our fellow human beings are experiencing the horrors of war and oppression.  Nations and peoples have chosen to fight with each other rather than to resolve their differences in a peaceful and mutually beneficial fashion, and we do not understand why.

At the same time, we recognize in ourselves the passions and temptations that could lead us into such conflict.  In our weaker moments we have chosen to neglect the welfare of others, we have become too easily offended, and we have sat idly by on occasions when we could have been peacemakers.  We desire peace, but we recognize that we are all too often a part of the problem rather than a part of the solution.

And yet, we recognize that you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, into our world for just such a reason.  He was himself a victim of violence and prejudice and misunderstanding.  He was a victim, and yet he was the Prince of Peace who brought hope and the possibly of reconciliation into our world.

May your spirit teach us, O God, to become more like the Christ.  May we learn to have insight to see how we might become workers for peace in your world.  May we learn to have the courage required to be your ambassadors of peace in every occasion of conflict and hatred.  May we learn to have hope in the ultimate victory you have promised through your risen Son.

Hymn

World Around Us, Sky Above Us — Hymns of the Saints #135

Prayers of the People

Life is never so full and free as when we engage in the full and free experience of praising God.  We thank you, God, for your intervening power at work in our world. Grant that our eyes and ears may be opened to the sights and sounds of Your mighty works of peace, and call us forth to greater works by us.

The People Pray in Silence

We pray for peace in Latvia.  May the peacemakers there feel your presence as they work towards building your peace.  One by one we name our extended family as we marvel at the ministry of God's Holy Spirit in their lives.

The People Pray in Silence

Personal deficiencies and lack of resources hinder our involvement in the cause of peace.  We seek personal forgiveness and a keener sense of what is important and urgent in our living.  Give us courage to rise to give the gift of helpfulness on the part of each.

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

Mighty God of the galaxies, we sense excitement in our souls as we anticipate our future. Help us to rejoice, and help us live our lives in this joy of investment in your cause. In the name of Jesus, our Savior, we pray. Amen.

Sending Forth

We 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.

Go in peaceful assurance of God's love for you and the world into which you are sent.

Ministry of Music