Belarus — 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 Belarus, a nation in Eastern Europe neighboring Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Scripture Reading— Isaiah 11:1-4a NRSV

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,

and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,

the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the spirit of counsel and might,

the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,

or decide by what his ears hear;

but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,

and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;

he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,

and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

Prayer for Peace

Lois Archer

Many of your sons and daughters, God, live by wooded hills and rolling fields, by the music of rivers, lakes, oceans, or the noisy symphony of the city. They are educated, well-fed. They have purpose to their lives. They can celebrate their existence and for this we give thanks.

But many of your people, God, live with desecration of their lands, with hunger, poverty, and disease. They live in the shadow of greed, cruelty, domination, and destruction. You cry out for the liberation of your people who are oppressed.

Creator God, we cry out with you. We cry out for justice and order, for equity and sanity. We cry out for truth and knowledge, for reconciliation and healing of the spirit.

On our knees we pray for the release of your healing goodness to empower men and women of goodwill everywhere to rise up and stand against the injustice that enslaves those in the wounded places of this Earth.

We pray that ignorance and superstition, apathy, and aimlessness will be overcome by your grace, by intelligence, love, and compassion. We pray that enlightened people will rise up and join all forces for good.

May the earnest prayers of all who unite at this moment rise in mission as we pray for peace and goodwill to all who dwell on the earth.

We call upon the holy name of Christ Jesus. Amen.

Hymn

Today’s hymn is “People, Look East” number 395 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 Belarus, 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.