Saint Kitts and Nevis

Daily Prayer
for Peace

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Gathering in Silence

Call to Prayer

Lighting of Candle

Invitation

Welcome to this time of prayer for peace, and thank you for joining us and adding your prayers.  Each day in this sacred space, 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 Saint Kitts and Nevis in our prayers.  Located in the Caribbean, Saint Kitts and Nevis were first settled by the British in 1623.  The islands became an associated state with full internal autonomy in 1967.  The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971.  Saint Kitts and Nevis achieved independence in 1983. In 1998, a vote in Nevis on a referendum to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority needed. Nevis continues in its efforts to try and separate from Saint Kitts.

We greet you in God's name and call your attention to the lighted peace candle as a symbol of our expectation of peace.  May the light sent from God shine in the darkness to show us the way to peace.

Scripture Reading

Psalm 33:1-5 The Inclusive Psalms

Sing out your joy to Our God, you who love justice—
                   praise is fitting for loyal hearts.
          Praise Our God with the harp,
                   and play music with a ten-stringed lyre!
          Sing God a new song,
                   play with all your skill, and with shouts of joy!
          For the word of Our God is true
                   and everything God does can be trusted.
          Our God loves justice and right
                        and fills the earth with love.

Prayer for Peace

by Pierre Gerard Berard, Haiti

Eternal God,

You are with us in times of joy and in times of tragedy.  I therefore come humbly before you today Lord, remembering the worst days in our history, the pain and sorrow for the little children, the young, and the old, victims of famine, diseases, and of injustice.  I remember with pain and sorrow those victims of terror, despotism, racism, and exploitation.  The poor, the hungry, the homeless, and the powerless saw a light of hope and peace of mind when the UN and the US contingents arrived.  My people said, "At last, there will be enough food on the table for everyone."  But today, Lord, the people are still waiting and becoming weary as days pass.

In you, Lord, they continue to place their hope, for you have said, "Blessed are those who thirst for justice.  Justice will be granted unto them." and "I was hungry and you gave me food."  In your eternal and gracious peace and justice, the day will come when at last victory of peace and justice will be established in Haiti.  And the poor, the hungry, the homeless, and the powerless will rejoice in you.  Amen.

Hymn

Center of Peace —Sing for Peace #1

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

God of all peoples, nations, and tongues we praise you for your creation.  We thank you for your desire that all persons should live peaceably, one with another, and for the blessing of your Son, Jesus, to teach us of peace.

The People Pray in Silence

We confess our sins and ask forgiveness when we have not been at peace within ourselves or with one another. Make us instruments of your peace in our daily lives.

The People Pray in Silence

We ask your guidance for the nation, and the people, of Haiti.  Be with the peacemakers as they work to rebuild and heal the wounds of the body and spirit that keep them from finding peace.

The People Pray in Silence

We pray now for the personal concerns of the people gathered here, family, friends, and self.  There are also concerns for our city and nation.  Hear our petitions we 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 Jesus, and offer ourselves as instruments of your peace in our world.  Amen.

Sending Forth

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

Ministry of Music