Gathering in Silence

Call to Prayer

Lighting of Candle

Invitation

In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to this “Temple [that] calls the entire church to become a sanctuary of Christ’s peace, where people from all nations, ethnicities, and life circumstances can be gathered into a spiritual home without dividing walls.”

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:8c

Today in our prayers we remember the people of France, located in western Europe plus several overseas regions and territories. Overseas, France includes French Guiana on the South American continent and several island territories in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. France has a large number of decorated caves from the upper Palaeolithic era, including one of the most famous and best preserved from approximately 18,000 BC.

Scripture Reading—Psalm 34:15, 17-18 NRSV

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their cry. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears,

and rescues them from all their troubles.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted,

and saves the crushed in spirit.

Prayer for Peace

Cathy Warner, A Contemporary Prayer of Saint Francis

God, help me be your agent

one of your messengers, bringing your kind of peace.

When I encounter hate, let me react with love.

When I am hurt by others, let me forgive.

When those around me question and doubt,

Let me voice my faith, my hope.

Where people are afraid, let me be an encourager

helping them to step into a new and better place.

Brilliant creator and lover of this universe:

Let me offer comfort and hope more often than I need to receive it.

I want to know the deep desires of others’ hearts.

Help me to listen more than I speak.

Let me spread love everywhere I can

without expecting to be loved equally in return.

Let me give of my joy and my gifts

knowing that this is the best way to receive.

When I hurt others, let me make amends.

Let me forgive myself and others for being human.

Make my heart free and expansive.

Help me to understand that when I let go

of all my expectations and rules,

that I will experience abundant life.

Hymn

Today’s hymn is 605 in Community of Christ Sings, “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace.” Sing or silently reflect on the meaning of the text as it is sung. Hymn number 605.

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 France, 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.