Mozambique — map

Gathering in Silence

Call to Prayer

Lighting of Candle

Invitation

In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to this Temple which is “dedicated to the pursuit of peace. …[and which] shall be for reconciliation and for healing of the spirit.” “You are called to create pathways in the world for peace in Christ.”

—Doctrine and Covenants 156:5a; 163:3a

Today in our prayers we remember the people of Mozambique, a nation on the southeast coast of Africa and bordered by the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and South Africa.

Scripture Reading— Luke 4:16-19 NRSV

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Prayer for Peace

Lorna Condit

Most loving God, source of mercy and grace,

We come to you seeking peace—peace in our hearts and minds, peace in our families and communities, peace in our world. We come humbly, acknowledging our own shortcomings as peacemakers, yet trusting in the ultimate promise of peace through your transforming grace.

Awesome Creator, we are grateful for the diversity with which you have gifted us. You have created us with a vast array of talents and interests, hopes and dreams. Our differences are a precious resource. Yet we know, Lord, how often we allow our differences to become division. Too often, we react to difference with fear rather than gratitude. Help us, Lord, to recognize the beauty that resides in each person and to reverence your wisdom in creating us with such diversity. Help us learn to love one another in all our uniqueness and to cherish unity without sameness.

Gentle Healer, we recognize the many persons in our world who are broken, some so shattered by emotional or physical violence that it seems impossible they could ever be made whole. Yet we trust in the healing and transforming power of your Spirit. Help us to act as your heart and hands and feet, manifesting your healing spirit in the world. Guide us in reaching out to the lost and lonely who need to be restored to loving community. Grant us words of compassion as we meet those who need to hear of your love and the wisdom of silence as we encounter those who need to be heard.

And Lord of Mercy, we ask your forgiveness for those times when our words or actions have wounded, when we have forgotten our calling as peacemakers. Do not let us be ruled by pride or pain or anger, so that we can neither seek nor accept reconciliation within our relationships. Instead, bless us with the humility to seek forgiveness and the courage to forgive. And may this attitude of humility extend beyond our personal relationships. For our failures to love and embrace your entire creation, forgive us, Lord. Help us instead to cherish all your creation and treat it with reverence.

With this prayer, Lord, we commit ourselves to serving as instruments of your peace. Amen.

Hymn

Today’s hymn is “Wait for the Lord” number 399 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 Mozambique, 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.



