Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Niger
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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In the quiet, simple dignity of
this place we welcome you 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 Niger in our prayers. Located in
western Africa, Niger held it’s first free and open election in 1993, 33
years after independence from France. Coups in 1996 and 1999 were
followed by the creation of a National Reconciliation Council that
effected a transition to civilian rule in December 1999. Two-thirds of
the country is desert, and 90 percent of the population lives in the
grain-producing savanna along the southern border. Though recent years
have been stable, the threat of civil unrest is ongoing, and the
economic situation is a constant worry. Economic problems have been
exacerbated by falling world demand for uranium, the country's most
valuable resource. At the mercy of drought and desertification, Niger
relies on foreign aid.
We come here today praising God for his wonderful blessings He has
bestowed upon us. We come with many differing needs, many unique
strengths, but with one common desire: to serve God in prayer. |
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| Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 160:2b |
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Fulfill the purposes of the Temple by
making its ministries manifest in your hearts. It was built from your
sacrifices and searching over the many generations. Let it stand as a
towering symbol of a people who knew injustice and strife on the
frontier and who now seek the peace of Jesus Christ throughout the
world. |
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Prayer for Peace by Hiroshi Yamada,
Independence, Missouri |
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Dear Lord God:
We are grateful once again that we are able to experience your presence
in this sanctuary.
As we sit here, meditate, and sing the songs of praise at this turn of a
season, we cannot help but come to appreciate the beauty of your
creation and your presence among things and people around us. The winds
brushing our cheeks already bring the news of autumn which is soon to
come and the hues of the leaves are soon turning yellow, red, and
orange. The field is white and ready for harvest.
"You (surely) visited the earth and watered it, you greatly enriched it;
... you provided their grain. You watered its furrows abundantly, ...
softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. You crowned the year
with your bounty; ...the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, ... they
shout and sing together for you." (Psalm 65:9-13)
Yet how often do our natural eyes blind us and place ourselves in the
center of the world. They lure us to be greedy for wealth, which never
overflows our cups. Our natural eyes drive us to compete, envy, hate,
which cause us to blur our views and bruise the human souls. We are at
war with the world and with one another. It is for such arrogance and
self-centeredness in us that you sent us your Begotten Son to redeem and
save us, not perish.
Forgive us our sins, and help us, O Lord, to restore our spiritual eyes
which enable us to see that you are the source of Love, the source of
Light, and Power. We are the created, and we are nothing without you. We
are the interrelated. We do not stand alone. Grant us spiritual eyes to
see and appreciate your loving Heart which has been extended to us
through your creation, so that we can serve you and the world to bring
peace and justice, harmony and joy.
We pray these things in the holy name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. |
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Hymn - Lord Jesus, of You I Will Sing
- Sing for Peace #31 |
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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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In the midst of daily duties, in deep awareness of
personal problems, in the midst of world issues that threaten to destroy
us we bow our heads in gratitude that we have been counted worthy to
bear the burdens of peace in our day. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We sense the awesome purity of God's holiness and we long to be truly
free from the stain of sin. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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Niger is striving for a peace-filled future. Grant them strength that
they may continue on this path. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for those gathered in this place. Please hear our prayers, and
bless us with a fitting blessing. |
| 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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Let the spirit of praise clothe our silence as we bow before God. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We end 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.
As you leave this time of worship, go with quickened step assured that
God is with you. Let your walk speak the testimony in your heart. Let
your words declare the joy of your walk. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
