Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Cote d'Ivoire
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more about Cote d'Ivoire?
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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We welcome you today to the
quiet of this place as we gather 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 we will hold up the people of the Cote d’Ivoire or Ivory Coast in
our prayers. Located in Western Africa, this former French colony gained
independence in 1960, but only held its first multiparty elections in
1990. The Ivory Coast is home to more than 60 ethnic groups. Once a
model of stability, the country in 1999 started slipping into the kind
of tribal strife that has plagued many African countries. Violence
between northerners and southerners in 2000 destroyed churches and
mosques and killed dozens of people. In 2002 a failed coup turned into a
rebellion that split the country in two. Rebel forces gained control of
a large area in the north. The political crisis, combined with low
commodity prices, caused personal income to decrease, while unemployment
and urban migration increased. Dependent on such commodities as cacao
and coffee, which are subject to drastic price swings, this once
prosperous nation faces ongoing economic problems.
May God guide our worship as we seek the divine mind for us at this time
and for this day. |
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| Scripture Reading: Romans 15:5-7 & 13 INT |
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May God, the source of all strength and
encouragement, enable you to live in perfect harmony with one another
according to the Spirit of Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and one
voice, you may praise the God of our Savior Jesus Christ. Accept one
another as Christ accepted us, for the glory of God. May the God of hope
fill you with such peace and joy in your faith, that you may be filled
with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. |
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Prayer for Peace by Mildred Jordan, Houghton
Lake, Michigan |
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Our Loving Creator and Provider:
We praise you for your loving kindness that extends to all inhabitants
of the earth, to every facet of your vast creation.
We are aware of the great need for peace in numerous countries as well
as our own. Be with all leaders in every land that they may make wise
decisions in dealing with their problems.
Increase their understanding so that they may realize the value of
compromise and reconciliation rather than force and violence.
May they fully comprehend your plan for all humankind and strive for
peace among all nations.
In the name of Your Dear Son, Jesus Christ, we ask it....Amen. |
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Hymn - O God of Every Nation - Hymns of
the Saints #175 |
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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. |
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We praise you, God, for this day and its blessings. We
thank you for our family and friends who sustain us, for abilities to
earn our daily bread, and for the gift of Jesus, our Christ, who ever
leads us toward peace. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We bow before you in repentance of our sins, whether they be known or
unknown to us. Help us to be more aware of those things we should omit
from our lives as well as those actions we should add to our living. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We especially ask your blessing on the nation of Cote d’Ivoire and its
people. Guide them and give them assurance that people of all faiths
also seek peace. May we all learn to trust each other. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We are aware of inequalities in our world. Touch the lives of world
leaders so that they will make wise decisions to benefit all nations,
not just their own. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We also ask your blessing on the concerns and needs of all gathered here
this day. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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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.
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| The People Pray in Silence |
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Hear our prayer, O Lord, and in your mercy answer us. In Jesus' name we
pray, Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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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.
May the God of grace and glory and peace guide us to new paths of peace,
for all our sakes. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
