Kenya — map

Gathering in Silence

Call to Prayer

Lighting of Candle

Invitation

In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to this sacred space that “stand(s) 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.”

—Doctrine and Covenants 161:2b

Today in our prayers we remember the people of Kenya, located in east Africa with territory on the equator. Kenya’s diverse and expansive terrain includes beautiful lakes, tropical coastlines, savannah, deserts, forests and mountains. Kenya is known for its safaris, national parks, and Lake Victoria, the largest tropical fresh-water lake in the world.

Scripture Reading— Numbers 6:25-26 NRSV

the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Prayer for Peace

Bruce Lindgren

O God of earth, sky and sea; God of universe unbounded, Lord of every micron; we pause at this time and in this space to direct our attention to you and reflect on the great mysteries of life that you have laid before us.

Our vision is partial, limited to a small band of light and understood only by whatever associations can be drawn by the synapses that comprise our brains. We make mistakes, and we sometimes believe that we know more than we do. Our instinct for self-preservation sometimes grows too large-it can take over our lives and we can try to place ourselves at the center of the universe leaving you on the periphery.

And yet, we have been granted the gift of sometimes seeing more than we can begin to comprehend. We come to understand that you are at the center and that your purposes are grand beyond description. We sense the love that you have for us, and we come to know that your love extends to everyone and everything that you have created.

You have sent us your son, Jesus Christ, who somehow crossed that impenetrable barrier dividing the divine from the mortal. And if you have done this, how can we continue to recognize the barriers that divide us one from the other? And if your son has taken suffering upon himself on our behalf, how can we continue to accept the pleasures that come to us through the suffering of other people? If your Word has come to us through the life of Jesus Christ, how can we not speak the Word of truth as we come to know it?

Through your grace, you have given us much. May we not be blinded by your generosity, but may we become ever more mindful of what we can give to others.

Grant us peace, O God, but not an easy peace. Grant us a restless peace that both comforts and prod us. Grant us peace, O God that leads us to greater sight and deeper commitment. Grant us peace, O God, a restless peace. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hymn

Today’s hymn is 338 in Community of Christ Sings, “Kanisa Litajengwa.” Sing or silently reflect on the meaning of the text as it is sung. Hymn number 338.

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 move outward, in rippling waves to those we know and love, to strangers and enemies, to the entire world, to all of creation. We begin by noticing our breathing. We breathe in spirit and exhale those things that separate us from you, O God. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Please enter into the silence with me as we pray for peace remembering God’s promise to be with us and to work in us. Listen for the sound of the beloved’s voice.

Pause.

God of creation, in the beginning your breath moved over the waters and brought calm and peace to a chaotic world. Breathe into my being this day; bring respite to my frenzied soul. Refresh my frayed sense of self and bring alive my hope for peace through words and actions inspired by your spirit. Breathe on me, breath of God.

Pause.

God of reconciliation, 2,000 years ago you breathed and the word became flesh among us, teaching us the way of forgiveness, mercy, compassion and peace. Breathe into our relationships this day; allow us to enflesh the teachings of your Son within our family, friends, neighbors, and even our encounters with those we do not yet know. Breathe on us, breath of God.

Pause.

God of sacred community, your Holy Spirit seeks to blow through the discord, disruption, and disease of the world to bring healing and wholeness once again. We remember all nations, including Kenya, the country we pray for today. Remind us that many of your children lack the basic needs of life, including freedom, space to grow, and love to support them. Breathe on your people, breath of God.

Pause.

God of all, your planet is gasping for breath, heaving under the pressure and weight of unbridled consumption of resources and greed-driven destruction of your world. The Earth groans from forces of chaos that destroy what we have been given as a gift for all creation. Awaken us to our responsibilities to heal and bring peace to our earthly home. Breathe once again over the waters, skies, land, and all that inhabit them, breath of God.

Pause.

May the awareness of our own breathing connect us to you, O God, and to all that lives because you create it, love it, and call it good. In and through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Musical Reflection

Sending Forth

Be blessed this day with frustration at injustice.

To motivate us to work for peace.

Go in peace.



