Palestinian Territories — map

Gathering in Silence

Call to Prayer

Lighting of Candle

Invitation

In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to this sacred space where we are called to, “above all else, strive to be faithful to Christ’s vision of the peaceable Kingdom of God on earth. Courageously challenge cultural, political, and religious trends that are contrary to the reconciling and restoring purposes of God. Pursue peace.”

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:3b

Today in our prayers we remember the people of the Palestinian Territories, an area in the Middle East that includes the West Bank and Gaza Strip, bordering Israel, Jordan and Egypt. The territories, along with Israel, Jordan, parts of Lebanon, and Syria comprise land that is considered holy by Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Scripture Reading—Ephesians 4:7, 14-15 NRSV

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift...We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ....

Prayer for Peace

Helen Lents

Creator God look on us with your merciful spirit and compassionate understanding as we stumble and struggle in our life journeys. We are so often distracted by the hindrances of our own making when we neglect to seek and respond to guidance readily available through the gift of the Holy Spirit so graciously offered.

Moments of enlightenment are as bursts of light in great darkness when we allow ourselves to be still and know of a surety you are God and you are there in both the darkness of night and the brightness of a joyous day. Help us celebrate the gifts of uniqueness all around us. We desire to be enriched by the simple and the profound. Our challenge is to see daily with new eyes the possibilities in each individual person and within the changing circumstances of each day’s experiences.

We need to gain the wisdom that allows us to see that there is no one right way of experiencing life. One of your disciples has reminded us that we can find it possible to praise God from the ruins of life as well as in the beauty of nature that surrounds us, in loving relationships and in the integrity of peace and order. To participate in the glorious task of peacemaking we need to find the beauty possible in the love we share with one another.

God, forgive our lack of diligence. We need to accept forgiveness and become one of those who carry the light of hope to the darkened corners of the world. Direct our journey as peacemakers is our petition today. Amen.

Hymn

Today’s hymn is 278 in Community of Christ Sings, “There's a Church within Us.” Sing or silently reflect on the meaning of the text as it is sung. Hymn number 278.

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 The Occupied Palestinian Territories, 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.