Brunei — map

Gathering in Silence

Call to Prayer

Lighting of Candle

Invitation

In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to this service of peace. “The rise of Zion the beautiful, the peaceful reign of Christ, awaits your wholehearted response to the call to make and steadfastly hold to God’s covenant of peace in Jesus Christ.”

—Doctrine and Covenants 164:9b.

Today in our prayers we remember the people of Brunei, a nation on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Brunei is known as the Abode of Peace.

Scripture Reading— Psalm 36:5-10 NRSV

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,

your judgments are like the great deep;

you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house,

and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light we see light.

O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,

and your salvation to the upright of heart!

Prayer for Peace

Bruce Lindgren

Our Gracious God, we are celebrating a time in which our world was turned upside-down; a time when triumphal entry was turned into defeat and death, and a time when defeat and death were turned into victory and redemption. As we do so, we recognize that you are always with us, even as our world continues to be turned upside down.

We, too, have celebrated moments of apparent triumph, and those moments have often become occasions when we have recognized that the victory was fleeting and temporary. We have also experienced the power of your redeeming love, which has transformed moments of painful loss into occasions of grace in our lives. We have come to recognize that the truth is not always what it appears to be, and that it is only through your Spirit that we can catch glimpses of that which is true and lasting.

In the story we celebrate this week, we see ourselves reflected at every turn: We are among those who are often too busy with other pursuits to recognize the Christ when he comes; we are often among those who, like our brother Paul, allow our own misconceptions about your Word to blind us to the presence of the Christ in our midst; we are often among those who are in despair when it seems that the very heart of goodness has been defeated forever; and we are among those who rejoice at the arrival of your redeeming actions in our lives.

In this sacred time of remembrance, we ask for your redeeming peace to be present in your world. Grand us the ears to hear your Word when it is proclaimed in unlikely places; grant us the eyes to see you at work in difficult moments; grant us the faith to see the redeeming work of your son, Jesus Christ, in our world; and grant us the insight and courage to work beside him for your eternal purposes. May we continue to be disciples of your son in a world turned upside down. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Hymn

Today’s hymn is “Leftover People in Leftover Places” number 275 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 begin with individuals and groups, then move out from this Temple of peace to include the human family and the planet.

Allow yourself to come reverently into the presence of the Divine and please join with me in prayer. Transformative encounters await you here with the Eternal Creator and Reconciler.

Pause.

Creator God, cleanse our hearts. Accept the confession of our flaws and failures, and make us whole. Transform us, O God, into the persons of peace and grace you created us to be.

Pause.

Redeeming God, bring to our awareness those persons and relationships that are broken, and make us conscious of the need for reconciliation and forgiveness. Transform us for relationships of wholeness once again.

Pause.

Saving God, allow us to feel your love and concern for your children in communities around the world, far and near. We remember all nations, including Brunei, the country we pray for today. May we weep with your tears and act with compassion to heal those who are suffering.

Pause.

God of all creation, stir within us a deep connection with everything you have created; make us aware of the sacred nature of all that surrounds us and lead us into deep reverence that cultivates nurturing actions.

Pause.

May these prayers of concern, compassion, and transformation for ourselves, others, all people, and the Earth lead us into a world shaped by your unconditional love, O God. Amen.

Musical Reflection

Sending Forth

Cherish inner peace. Honor relationships.

Become communities of love, joy, hope, and peace.

Go in peace.



