Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Tanzania
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more about Tanzania?
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Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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Thank you for coming to share
in this special time of prayer for peace. Each day at this time, 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 Tanzania in our prayers. Tanzania is
located in eastern Africa and is home to one of the largest, wildest
animal populations in the world. There are a hundred or more tribal
groups and the main religions are Christianity and Islam, with a sizable
Hindu minority. While there have been tensions, Tanzania has managed to
remain an oasis of relative peace in a region often torn by tribal
clashes. Recent years have been marked by greater political and economic
ties between Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda; the growth of opposition
parties; and major economic boosts, fueled by tourism and the recent
opening of a major natural gas field.
O Loving God, whose advent we celebrate throughout this journey, help us
remember that Christ is always coming: always entering a troubled world,
a wounded heart. Come renew this truth in our hearts and minds through
the presence of the Spirit of Christ as this Candle of Love is set
aflame. |
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| Scripture Reading: Luke 6:27-28, 35 INT |
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But I tell you who hear me: Love your
enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray
for those who mistreat you. Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend
to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be
great.
You’ll rightly be called children of the Most High, since God is good
even to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be compassionate, as your loving
God is compassionate. |
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Prayer for Peace by Ila H. Purcell,
Independence, Missouri |
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Oh God of love and peace, our thoughts reach out to
honor and praise your holy name. We entreat your remembrance of
all humanity throughout your creation. We entreat your remembrance of
the many who are suffering in lands across the seas. Join our thoughts
with their thoughts for loving compassion to motivate a new desire to be
your family of nations. May you free us of all envy and lust in our
self-centeredness, that we might have peaceful relationships with your
spirit in our midst. Seal this blessing I pray thee. Amen. |
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Hymn - O Thou Joyful, O Thou Wonderful
- Hymns of the Saints #235 |
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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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Giver and sustainer of life, we bow in this sacred space
to pray for the people of Tanzania. Thank you for their lives and for
our lives that become intertwined in this moment of prayer. Thank you
for the contributions they make to our world, and for the opportunities
that lead them to you and to peace |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for families who strive to create havens of love and nurture but
are often tormented by strains and pressures from within and without.
Where human frailty or condition shatters family bonds, inspire us to
create families of choice who offer sanctuary to every child of God. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for all children, especially those whose childhoods are
threatened by servitude and starvation, inadequate schooling and health
care, warfare and want. May we grow in understanding until we recognize
each child as our own child. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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As this community seeks to walk with Jesus, may they hear the call to be
active disciples in community building. Bless their communications with
honesty and bless them as they rejoice together, mourn together, delight
in each other and make each person’s condition their own. |
| 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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God who is called by some Allah, by some the Holy One of Israel and by
some the parent of Jesus, help your conflicting children sense your
great love for all your creation. Help us depart from this place ready
to do our part to make peace wherever we are. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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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.
As we leave this house, we go with God's blessing to guide us into
peaceful ways. Amen.
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| Ministry of Music |
