Benin — 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 Benin, a nation in Western Africa. Benin’s history is steeped in the slave trade as well as voodoo. It is a small country filled with natural and diverse beauty, and is home to one of the best wildlife parks in West Africa.

Scripture Reading— Luke 1:78-79 NRSV

By the tender mercy of our God,

the dawn from on high will break upon us,

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Prayer for Peace

Thank you for the beauty of creation, for the gift of life and all living things. We thank you for creating this world for our benefit and our use. We pray for the following:

Forgiveness—for misusing the Earth.

Guidance for all nations as they develop.

All peoples as they live their daily lives.

Wisdom to make choices that will benefit our planet Earth and all living things; people, flora and fauna.

Education—to learn and to teach.

Health—for all living things.

Livelihood—jobs to benefit people and the earth.

Government—responsible people, responsible laws.

Influence—Whom and how to.

Personal commitment—What I can, should, and shall do.

Peace and justice for all

We pray that this will be so. We have a responsibility of being stewards over Earth, our home. We must be true to this trust that our Creator has given to us, all of us living on this beautiful planet. Amen.

Hymn

Today’s hymn is 418 in Community of Christ Sings, “No Obvious Angels.” Sing or silently reflect on the meaning of the text as it is sung. Hymn number 418.

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.

Will you pause for the next few moments in the quiet of this sanctuary, away from the worries of the world, to silently add your own thoughts and prayers to the prayers of the people?

Pause.

God of all time and space, I stand waiting for your peace to enter my broken and chaotic soul, just as you wait for me to pause long enough to breathe and simply be. May your peace fill the space that I now create with my breath and my being. Hear my often-impatient cry, “Be with me, O Prince of Peace, and make me whole.”

Pause.

Source of our being, we stand waiting for your peace to enter our broken and chaotic relationships, just as you wait for us to pause long enough to invite you in. May your reconciling presence bring us to a point of apology and forgiveness, of offering and receiving, and unity. Hear our impatient cry, “Be with us, O Prince of Peace, and make us one.”

Pause.

Lord of all Earth’s people, the world stands waiting for your peace to calm the warring nations, to stem the tide of violence we inflict against one another, just as you wait for us to stop the madness long enough to see one another as family. We remember all nations, including Benin, the country we pray for today. May your profound compassion for your children flow within us. Enable us to surrender our hatred and fear and be filled instead with your loving kindness and mercy. Hear our often-impatient cry, “Be with our human family, O Prince of Peace, and make us one.”

Pause.

Creator of all, your creation stands waiting for your healing touch to restore all living things to oneness and wholeness, just as you wait for us to revere what you have given us as a sacred gift. May your generous offering of water, earth, air, and all that has life remind us of our physical and spiritual connection with everything that was, is, and will be. Help us honor our call as stewards of the Earth. Hear our impatient cry, “Be with our Earth, O Prince of Peace. Make all things one.”

Pause.

We ask for this blessing of your peace in and through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Musical Reflection

Sending Forth

Make every breath one of thanksgiving;

Make every deed a channel of justice;

Make every thought a peaceful one;

Go in peace.



