Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Laos
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more about Laos?
Visit
Lonely
Planet. |
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Welcome today to this sacred
place. 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 Laos in our prayers. Located in
Southeastern Asia, France did little to develop mountainous, landlocked
Laos during 54 years of colonial rule. Agriculture, mostly subsistence
farming, dominates the economy. Soon after independence in 1953 the
country fell into turmoil; in 1975 communists seized power with help
from North Vietnam. One of the few remaining communist states, the
economy is hampered by poor roads, no railroad, and limited access to
electricity. Ongoing reforms allow private ownership of property and
encourage more foreign trade and investment to compensate for the loss
of the former Soviet Union's support of this still officially communist
state. Laos faces severe economic problems: rising inflation, a growing
deficit, falling exports, and few foreign investments.
We greet you in the name of the God of Peace who calls us to worship.
Let us unite as one to praise God and offer up our supplications for
world peace. |
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| Scripture Reading: Psalm 7:6-7 The Inclusive
Psalms |
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Awake, my God,
and give me justice!
Let the company of nations gather around you,
and rule over them from on high.
Put an end to the violence all around me!
Make the just feel secure, O God of justice,
you who test mind and heart!
You are my shield, God Most High,
who saves the upright of heart. |
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Prayer for Peace by Norman W. Roy, Regina,
Saskatchewan., Canada |
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Our Heavenly Father,
Hear our words of anguish and our cry for peace: peace in our homes, our
communities and throughout the world.
Reach out, heavenly Father, with your love and compassion, and bring the
understanding our leaders need to stay on the course towards world
peace.
Soften their hearts so that they may feel compassion towards all
humankind. May their leadership be tempered with love, and understanding
of the right, that each person may live in peace and harmony.
May there truly be peace on earth, and good will to all. Amen. |
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Hymn - Put Peace Into Each Other’s Hands
- Sing for Peace #15 |
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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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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. Forgive us, O God. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We ask your forgiveness for the sin of our self-concern, where we seek
first our own private good, to the neglect of our neighbor's needs near
and far. We ask your forgiveness for our casual and careless disdain for
the good earth, in all its majesty and beauty, which we plunder and
despoil for present gain, counting not the dire cost the future must
pay. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We ask your watchcare and blessing for the people of Laos. Help them to
find justice and peace in a world that doesn’t seem to acknowledge their
needs. 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 |
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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 |
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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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We pray in the name of the Giver of Peace. Amen |
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| Sending Forth |
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We conclude our service for today with Ministry of Music
meditation. 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. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
