Daily Prayer for Peace
1:00 p.m.
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Kiribati
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more about Kiribati?
Visit
Lonely
Planet. |
Gathering in Silence
Call to Prayer
Lighting of CandleInvitation |
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We welcome you on this day to
this place of 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 Kiribati in our prayers. Kiribati is
a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean. The Gilbert Islands were
granted self-rule by the United Kingdom in 1971 and complete
independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati. In addition to
fishing and copra, the country relies on foreign financial aid,
particularly from the United Kingdom and Japan. As its phosphate
reserves diminish, the island has been forced to rely on a reserve
trust. Income from citizens now working abroad augments the economy.
Kiribati is one of a number of Pacific island-nations whose very
existence is threatened by climate change and the resultant rise in sea
levels. “The clan” remains to be the basic building block of society.
As we leave the outside world for a few moments we will not forget its
trials. But we will be refreshed to serve anew as peacemakers for our
God. Let us worship the Author of Peace for this short time. |
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| Scripture Reading: I Peter 3:10-12 INT |
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Whoever would love life and see good days
must keep the tongue from evil and the lips from deceitful talk. They
must turn from evil to good, they must seek peace and pursue it. For the
eyes of Our God are on the just, and the ears of Our God attend to their
prayers. |
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Prayer for Peace by Violet Else, St. Thomas,
Ontario, Canada |
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Our Eternal God, Creator and Sustainer,
Thou alone art worthy to be praised. Unworthy as we are, we dare to come
boldly to Thee this day on behalf of this war-torn world, and our need
for peace.
Because of our lack of obedience to Thee and our lack of love for one
another, we have created chaos on the beautiful planet Earth. We have
done this even though created in Thine own image.
We marvel that Thou hast loved us so much that Thy Son came to be born
for us, and then died for all that we might have eternal life. Knowing
this we humbly ask for Thy Divine intervention in the governments of the
world that peace can come, according to Thy will. Nations war against
nations and even brother against brother and we seem unable to bring
peace.
When with eyes we see, and with ears we hear, we wonder how we could be
so uncaring. Loving Father, have mercy upon Thy creatures for we
acknowledge our dependence on Thee. We pray in the name of Him who is
our Savior and Mediator with Thee, even Jesus the Christ. Amen. |
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Hymn - Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
- Hymns of the Saints #238 |
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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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God of all the earth and those who dwell thereon, we
thank you and praise you for the glorious gift of your Son, Jesus. We
pray that His light of peace will heal the earth. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for those who suffer the destruction and desolation of war and
human selfishness. We hold to the light of God's love and healing the
children, youth, and adults of Kiribati. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for courage to be your presence in actions of justice,
compassion, tenderness, and love, and thank you for the peacemakers
wherever they may be. |
| The People Pray in Silence |
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We pray for divine forgiveness when we have not been compassionate or
loving or just, and lift to you our personal cares and concerns. |
| 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 God, as we seek wisdom this day. In response to Your
call, we offer ourselves to be instruments of peace in our world. Amen. |
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| Sending Forth |
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We conclude our service 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.
Peace is God's parting gift to you, a divine peace such as the world
cannot give. Set your troubled hearts at rest, and banish your fears for
the Lord is with you. Amen. |
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| Ministry of Music |
