Myanmar — 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 Myanmar, a nation in South East Asia, bordered by Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand.

Scripture Reading—Psalm 29:11 NRSV

May the Lord give strength to his people!

May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Prayer for Peace

Steve Bolie

Expectant God,

We come expecting to meet you here. The promise is that you are always present so you were here when we arrived. Do you wait expectantly for our worship and prayers?

So we are gathered here to lift up prayers for peace. The need is great for peace within ourselves, between people, between the nations of the world and even for the planet itself. We struggle to find the words and phrases to describe the needs; peace for our troubled world is so often difficult to even imagine. We pray knowing that Jesus intercedes on our behalf with words that we cannot express.

We also know that you expect us to express our prayers for peace in both words and action. Give the insight to recognize opportunities for action. Inspire in us the courage to act.

The peace of Christ, the assurance of your steadfast love, is our hope and desire. We trust in that reality in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Hymn

Today’s hymn is “Hevenu shalom alaychem” number 311 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 context for our Prayers of the People 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.

Will you join with me in this time of prayer and meditation acknowledging your soul’s yearning for God’s presence and peace? Silently join your heart with God’s.

Pause.

O God of love, grant us your peace. We struggle with insecurities and fears, weighed down with issues that affect our sense of worth and wholeness. Grant us peace that calms the inner turmoil of our souls and affirms that we are beloved.

Pause.

O God of life, grant us your peace. We strive for relationships that are fair, equitable and filled with compassion, yet we often find ourselves enslaved in conflicts with others, even those we love. Grant us the strength to listen with our hearts first that we may grow in deeper connection with those whom we call friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family.

Pause.

O God of hope, grant us your peace. We have grown weary of the sounds of war, violence, oppression and diminishment of men, women and children, yet we fail to heed your urgent invitation to act for justice. Grant us the courage to extend our hands in acts of mercy, service, and peacemaking. We remember all nations, including Myanmar, the country we pray for today.

Pause.

O God of all creation, grant us your peace. We understand that we are made of the same substance as all living things, yet fail to grasp your vision of the sacredness of creation. Make us more aware and weave us into oneness. Grant us a glimpse of your love for creation in all its forms and the compassion to act in ways that respect and honor the genius of your universe.

Pause.

O God of peace, we offer ourselves as vessels of your grace and peace, so that from where we stand, waves of your loving presence will emanate to bless your world. In and through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Musical Reflection

Sending Forth

Live simply. Value others.

Honor the Earth. Walk in sacred footsteps.

Go in peace.

Susan Naylor, snaylor@CofChrist.org, 816-529-3718 (call or text)