Indigenous Peoples of North America — map

Gathering in Silence

Call to Prayer

Lighting of Candle

Invitation

In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to this service of peace. “The rise of Zion the beautiful, the peaceful reign of Christ, awaits your wholehearted response to the call to make and steadfastly hold to God’s covenant of peace in Jesus Christ.”

—Doctrine and Covenants 164:9b.

Today in our prayers we remember the people of Indigenous Peoples of North America. These people are descendants of those who lived in North America prior to the arrival of Europeans in the late 15th century.

Scripture Reading— Job 22:21 NRSV

“Agree with God, and be at peace;

in this way good will come to you.

Prayer for Peace

Charmaine Chvala-Smith

Gracious and loving God, as we gather to worship you today, we remember your desire to bless all your creation. So, we pray for the power of your peace to be freed in the world. Remembering that you came to us as a defenseless baby, keeps us centered in the kind of peace you bring.

In our prayer for peace today we seek your clarity and your courage; clarity to recognize injustice against the most helpless in our society, and courage to act on their behalf. Help us to challenge, the systems within our influence that value the wealth of some over the health and safety of the most vulnerable.

God, you showed us your love. In Christ’s life, ministry, and death, we begin to take in the depths of your compassion, and we know that you comprehend the pain and hope each one here feels.

We pray for those nearby and far away whose home is the street and whose constant companions are need and fear. We pray for those whose innocence has been compromised by greed or neglect. We pray for those whose conscience has been crippled by racism, hate, or affluence; for those whose eyes have been blinded and hearts hardened by excess, by harm, or by ego.

We ask your Spirit’s nearness when we fail or stumble in our attempts to uphold each one as a child of yours. We need your presence so that we will not be discouraged in our efforts or lose sight of the ways in which your love connects us to each other.

We believe your kingdom is a place where each person can know their worth, to you and to the world. Guide us individually and as a body as we endeavor to create a space for your kingdom in our midst.

We offer this prayer to you, that Christ’s way might more fully become our way.

Amen.

Hymn

Today’s hymn is 406 in Community of Christ Sings, “Tomorrow Christ Is Coming.” Sing or silently reflect on the meaning of the text as it is sung. Hymn number 406.

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 peoples, including the Indigenous Peoples of North America, for whom we pray 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.



