Nepal — 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 Nepal, a nation in South Asia bordering China and India. It is home to eight of the ten tallest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth.

Scripture Reading— Jeremiah 31:31, 33b NRSV

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Prayer for Peace

Nanda Malla

Loving God,

We ask your spirit and guidance to all human beings to bring peace and justice to the nations of the Earth.

Give your strength, clear wisdom and right motive and attitude to help us stop poverty, war, violence and all kinds of discrimination towards humankind facing great conflicts and issues throughout the whole world.

Inspire every human being to work together to face the challenges and issues that occur. Let all unite as one to deal with global issues of poverty, war, violence, racism, sexism, cast, nationalism and environment.

Enable us all to share unconditional love and resources delightfully and willingly. Help us to treat everyone equally with dignity in every aspect of their life.

We invite your spirit and presence to bless every person of every nation to be peacemakers and bring love, peace, joy, hope, reconciliation, and healing of the spirit to all your children. We ask this prayer in the name of the Prince of Peace, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Hymn

Today’s hymn is 299 in Community of Christ Sings, “We Call Out to You.” Sing or silently reflect on the meaning of the text as it is sung. Hymn number 299.

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 Nepal, 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.



