Costa Rica — 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 Costa Rica, a nation in Central America. This beautiful country is one of the most stable, prosperous, and progressive nations in Latin America.

Scripture Reading—Doctrine and Covenants 18:2n

Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit and you shall have peace in me.

Prayer for Peace

Dick Hansen

Creator God, as a community of followers of Christ, you have blessed us many times in the past. You have carried us through many rough times. We give thanks and praise for your care of us.

We are now in a time that we have not faced before. We have all been affected by the results of a pandemic that extended worldwide. We have each been affected in different ways and may face different outcomes. We join together to pray for your blessings of peace and peace-making.

For those who are lonely, we pray a blessing of reassurance of your continual presence within and surrounding them.

For those who feel uncertainty, we pray a blessing of your abiding peace to journey with them.

For those who feel hopeless, we pray a blessing of faith—remembering your faithfulness in the past will also be present to sustain the present and future.

For those who are stressed and stretched beyond limits, we pray a blessing of rest, calm, and peace-filled assurance.

For those who are discouraged, we pray a blessing of hope—knowing that you will carry them and us all through difficult times.

For those who have lost someone close, we pray a blessing of comfort and peace to guide them in their grief.

For those who feel they are no longer able to serve you, we pray a blessing of discovery—discovery of new forms of servanthood.

For those forgotten, abused, pushed to the sides as unworthy or “less than,” we ask a blessing of your healing and life-changing justice.

Forgive us, dear God. Your peace needs our combined heartbeats to live more fully in this world. Too often we are hesitant and slow to respond.

May we be reminded to face challenging times not as individuals, but as a community of Christ present in the world now. May we continue to look to you for guidance, clarity of thought, and lasting peace within us. Bless us, we pray!

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hymn

Today’s hymn is “When We Are Living” number 242 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 this day begin with ourselves and then, enlarging life’s circle, move outward to include those we know and love, to strangers and enemies, to the entire world, and to all of creation.

Will you pause for the next few moments in the quiet of this sanctuary, away from the worries of the world, to silently add your own thoughts and prayers to the prayers of the people?

Pause.

God of all time and space, I stand waiting for your peace to enter my broken and chaotic soul, just as you wait for me to pause long enough to breathe and simply be. May your peace fill the space that I now create with my breath and my being. Hear my often-impatient cry, “Be with me, O Prince of Peace, and make me whole.”

Pause.

Source of our being, we stand waiting for your peace to enter our broken and chaotic relationships, just as you wait for us to pause long enough to invite you in. May your reconciling presence bring us to a point of apology and forgiveness, of offering and receiving, and unity. Hear our impatient cry, “Be with us, O Prince of Peace, and make us one.”

Pause.

Lord of all Earth’s people, the world stands waiting for your peace to calm the warring nations, to stem the tide of violence we inflict against one another, just as you wait for us to stop the madness long enough to see one another as family. We remember all nations, including Costa Rica, the country we pray for today. May your profound compassion for your children flow within us. Enable us to surrender our hatred and fear and be filled instead with your loving kindness and mercy. Hear our often-impatient cry, “Be with our human family, O Prince of Peace, and make us one.”

Pause.

Creator of all, your creation stands waiting for your healing touch to restore all living things to oneness and wholeness, just as you wait for us to revere what you have given us as a sacred gift. May your generous offering of water, earth, air, and all that has life remind us of our physical and spiritual connection with everything that was, is, and will be. Help us honor our call as stewards of the Earth. Hear our impatient cry, “Be with our Earth, O Prince of Peace. Make all things one.”

Pause.

We ask for this blessing of your peace in and through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Musical Reflection

Sending Forth

Make every breath one of thanksgiving;

Make every deed a channel of justice;

Make every thought a peaceful one;

Go in peace.