Haiti — map

Gathering in Silence

Call to Prayer

Lighting of Candle

Invitation

In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to this service of peace where “God is calling for a prophetic community to emerge, drawn from the nations of the world, that is characterized by uncommon devotion to the compassion and peace of God revealed in Jesus Christ.”

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:11a

Today in our prayers we remember the people of Haiti, a nation on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea. It shares the island with the Dominican Republic, with Haiti occuping three-eights of the land. Haiti has the second-largest population of any country in the Caribbean and is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Scripture Reading—Galatians 3:27-28 NRSV

As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

Prayer for Peace

Pam Robison

God of all Creation,

God, we are afraid. And in our fear, we strike out at each other. We do not listen. We do not see each other as made in your image.

Instead, we huddle in our groups of "likeness"—building fences to keep "the other" away.

Our fear keeps us from working together to take care of our world. It causes us to lay blame instead of taking responsibility.

And yet there are times when we sense the need to trust—to trust each other and to trust you. You have promised you will not leave us alone. You remind us that we are one race—a human race, created in love with a call to love each other and this world you created.

Give us the courage to put aside our fear...to reach out in trust...so that we can be peacemakers and healers. Help us to see with new eyes—the way you see.

We pray this on behalf of all your creation.

Amen.

Hymn

Today’s hymn is “Let Us Sing a Worldwide Anthem” number 323 in Community of Christ Sings. Sing or silently reflect on the meaning of the text.

Prayers of the People

As we enter a time of guided prayer, meditation, and musical reflection, you are invited to offer silent prayers or meditate during the moments of quiet. The Prayers of the People this day begin with ourselves and then, enlarging life’s circle, move outward to include those we know and love, to strangers and enemies, to the entire world, and to all of creation.

Please join with me in today’s prayer and meditation; quiet your breathing and embrace God’s eternal grace as you become aware of your own responses to the guided prayers of the people.

Pause.

God, you are the still point of the circle within which all creation is found. I yearn to connect with your spirit of peace and experience the companionship of your presence in this moment. May I abide in the center of creation’s circle with you?

Pause.

Creator of horizons, help us draw the circle wider to include those I know and love, and even those I struggle to understand and accept. Fill this circle with the gifts of forgiveness, mercy, compassion, and peace. Give us the desire to include all whose paths cross ours into a place where acceptance is offered freely. Draw our circle wider.

Pause.

Giver of dreams, let the peace we’ve dreamed of expand to embrace all your children. We remember all nations, including Haiti, the country we pray for today. Within this circle may we see the other as brother and sister, and act as mutual stewards of one another. You call us to live without borders that exclude. Help us to draw the circle wider still.

Pause.

God of all living things, your world longs to be whole and in harmony. The dream of shalom includes caregiving for the water, earth, air and all that has life in one great family. You created us with interdependencies. Give us mutual respect and tender care for all. Let this be our song: Nothing on your created Earth stands alone, but lives in shalom with all other living things. Draw the circle wide open.

Pause.

Architect of life and peace, may we be blessed by your vision of shalom this day. May our minds, hearts, and spirits be wide enough for all to find a home. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, God’s shalom. Amen.

Musical Reflection

Sending Forth

May blessings of peace

Be realized today

Through the Source, Savior, and Spirit.

Go in peace.