God, you who are ultimately in control, the fury and pain and death of this world are before us this day. We weep over the hunger, war, conflict, and hate cursing the landscape of the earth, wasting lives that barely had a chance, lives that fell victim to forces greater than peaceful, preventive measures could […]
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River of Life, Press your being anew Into the war-torn fabric Of a world gone mad With violence unspeakable Calling forth necessary lament Tearing open the heart For a healing only possible With your grace alone. Let no paralysis of the past Prevent your promised future From taking up residence In our hearts, minds, and […]
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Creator God, you who knows us to our very core, Who can see where we ache and where we delight, Who sings lullabies to the tender places in our hearts, Who understands our struggles and our insecurities, You who can spin the worlds and still hear our quiet prayers, Who will stop for the wounded […]
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Peace on earth, good will toward all. — Luke 2:14 The Dayspring from on high hath visited us…to guide our feet into the way of peace. — Luke 1:78-79 ‘Peace on earth,’ the angels sang. We sing it too, in carols, oratorios. We talk of peace, put it on bumper stickers, print it on Christmas […]
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Dearest Friend, gentle spirit, breath of live, source of our being, from the peacefulness of silence, the silence that preceded Creation, your speaking entered the void and light burst forth. Our hearts are filled with gratitude that your speaking extends to us today, that your light illuminates our world and our lives. Even as we […]
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O God, you would fold both heaven and earth in a single peace: let the design of your great love shine upon the waste of our wraths and sorrows; and give peace to your church, peace among nations, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts.
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This liturgy was written for midday prayers at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. It may be reproduced and adapted for local usage. More resources are available here from the World Council of Churches We gather in silence. As we gather we listen to the gong/bell, calling us to remember, calling us to pray and […]
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This prayer might be used on Remembrance Day (UK), ANZAC Day (Australia) and days in other nations set aside to remember victims of conflict and war. Praying for Our World As we pray this morning, I will invite you to name those in your life or beloved by you who have served in the military […]
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In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ — Matthew 2:1-2 Light a […]
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Let me stand before enemies with love prepared to break soil, to prune branches to do the hard work of growing peace For I will need stout tools to work this rough land well, to bring fruits of justice out of rocky earth, to tend the muscular trees of mercy. Steve Garnaas-Holmes serves in ministry […]
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