While current society cashes in on our sentimentality, my mother always reminded me that Mother’s Day (in the USA) had its start in the peace movement. Julia Ward Howe’s rallying words call women to activism, to intentional peacemaker work. While Julia Ward Howe uses language specific to wives, sons and husbands, her message reminds us […]
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God of the past, the present and the future, Thank you for Grandparents who help us remember, And grandchildren who give us reason to remember. Today we remember, even when there is peace in our land. For Peace is a fragile thing. How often it has hung by only a thread May we, followers of […]
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A great way to greet one another on-line. First, a demonstration in British Sign Language (I believe the ‘priest’ mentioned is the person greeting everyone, and the second greeting is to an individual.) And now a demonstration in American Sign Language: Click here to visit the websites:
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Mothers’ Day Proclamation 1870 – Julia Ward Howe While Julia Ward Howe uses language specific to wives, sons and husbands, her message reminds us how a day conceived as an anti-war activist’s cry for peace can be sentimentalised and re-directed over time. I post this in honour of my mother, Dotty Dale, who continued to […]
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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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Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth; lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust; lead me from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe. Each day at noon people of all faiths and none use this ‘Universal Prayer for Peace’. […]
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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 […]
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A prayer for the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel (third week of September) God, loving Parent of all humankind, You are our Peace. In Jesus you embodied peace with justice – And you still do— Peace at its most down-to-earth, Peace, which can still prevail In the face of all the […]
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Like most traumatic scars, the ones that are found in Hiroshima and Nagasaki are permanent: reminders of the terrible damage human beings can inflict. Similar scars can be found in the hearts and souls of people around the world who understand this terror: scars of grief, sadness, fear and even shame. None of these scars […]
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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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With what words do we remember? With what words do we turn from the memories of war to the hope of peace? Newest ‘Remembrance Day’ posts . . . (images link to posts) Remembrance services are held both in churches and at war memorials. For some this is an opportunity to focus on peace. White […]
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Consider using for: International Day of Peace, 21 September Hiroshima Day, 6 August Jesus said; “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” We are called to be peacemakers, to stand against injustice, inequality and oppression For injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Let us gather, as the […]
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God of our Mothers and Fathers, we pray for the peace of the world. We especially entrust to your mercy the homeless and refugees; those who have been dispossessed through war; those whose lives and families have been disrupted; and who mourn the loss of loved ones. We pray for countries who are war-torn even […]
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Originally written to mark the ANZAC Centenary Gracious and loving God, we remember all who lost their lives through Australia’s involvement in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. On ANZAC Day, we especially remember the courageous actions undertaken by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during the First World War. On this national day of […]
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Tune: St. Anne Click here to access free downloads. In contemplation on this day Both pride and sadness grow; We laud the courage on display; Yet tears can overflow. White crosses filling endless fields Remind us of those lost; We long for respite, that which shields Us from war’s wicked cost. We honour all who […]
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Inspired by Luke 17:21 and Matthew 6:10 Let us gather together and search it out. ‘Your kin-dom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’ (Matthew 6:10) Let us seek to do the will of God and, in doing so, welcome God’s kin-dom. From the service ‘The Bible and […]
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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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A prayer each week highlights an area of our world in greatest need. Click here to read and access these timely and relevant prayers written by staff and missionaries serving Global Ministries (a joint ministry of the United Church of Christ USA and the Christian Church – Disciples of Christ, USA). A related photo and […]
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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 Word entered the void and said, ‘Let there be light.’ This afternoon we sit mindful that we are kin and covenanted to that Word and to your light. We are grateful to you, […]
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Adapted from a prayer written by Revd Terri Hord Owens, USA, originally forged in response to peaceful demonstrations and violent response in Charlottesville, North Carolina USA. God of Love, our hearts break at the violence in our world, the loss of life, the dishonoring of children of God, the vile insults hurled and the wounds of […]
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What words can express the horrors of war? The atrocity of dropping an atom bomb on Hiroshima? Nagasaki? The complicity of citizens? The heart-wrenching desire to set things more right. The craving for forgiveness and atonement? Spirit of Peace, hear our prayer. “U.S. airman Matthew McGunigle photographed the Hiroshima blast. After the war, he entered […]
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Based on Genesis 32.22-31 God, we come with praise and gratitude. Thank you for your word, for speaking to us anew today. In faith and trust, we open our ears and minds to you. We know you are with us in the rush of life. God, you see us as we truly are, with our […]
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Words to help us face the situation in Syria…
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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 […]
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Day of Action and Prayer for Syria & Peace 21 September What words can express the horror, the sadness, the hope, the truth? Newest ‘Day for Syria’ posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Day for Syria’ resources . . . Words to help us face the situation in Syria…
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Written specifically for sharing during a re-enactment of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, this prayer might be used at other communion services throughout the year. Out of the chaos, O God, you spoke and order came. Out of the nothingness, your hand touched dirt and water and we were formed. Out of your creative […]
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Each September the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum of the World Council of Churches invites participation in this week of advocacy and action supporting an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine and a just peace for all in Palestine and Israel. Congregations and individuals around the globe who share the hope of justice unite during the week to take […]
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Daily Prayer, by Shantideva, Buddhist sage 700 A.D., India Prayer performed each morning by His Holiness the Dalai Lama May I be a guard for those who need protection A guide for those on the path A boat, a raft, a bridge for those who wish to cross the flood May I be a lamp […]
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We continue to pray for Syria and peace. Prayers for Syria. . .
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The International Day of Peace, marked each year on 21st September, is a time for individuals, community groups, nations and international organisations to re-commit to the way of peace with justice. The UnitingJustice Australia website provides worship resources, including a Call to Worship, Litany for Peace, prayers of confession and intercession, blessing and dismissal, UnitingJustice Australia is […]
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Though the original words are exclusive, the sentiment is eternal. The bracketed phrases have been inserted to include everyone… I dream a world where [each person] No other [person] will scorn, Where love will bless the earth And peace its paths adorn I dream a world where all Will know sweet freedom’s way, Where greed […]
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Response to police shootings and deaths in the USA… 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 […]
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Merciful God, your love embraces all of creation. Your realm knows nothing of the borders we draw between nations. You have taught us that every woman, man and child is our neighbour. You have commanded us to love, love, love, without thought of our own security, or glory, or gain. Remind us that you have […]
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Background “The Good Friday Vigil Against Gun Violence emerged out of what Denver experienced as the Summer of Violence in 1993, when there was a high incidence of gun deaths in the metro region. The staff of Washington Park UCC thought it would be important to lead a prayer service and protest, using symbolism from […]
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Each Advent season, the Scout International Peace Light travels from Bethlehem around the world. Towns and faith communities hold services for receiving the light and for sending it forth. These resources are for use in a Peace Light Service. Peace Light Prayer May the kindly spirit of Christmas spread its radiance far and wide, So all the […]
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Passing or sharing the “Peace of Christ” is a common element in Christian worship. What words feel comfortable for your congregation? Here are some variations on the theme…
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Peace Your promise Our hope Peace in our communities… Unite us to raise our voices against violence in our homes in our churches in our schools in our work places Peace on our earth… Unite us to take a stand, to act to become eco-churches to go green […]
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We ask that when we are tired and weary and longing for rest, you come and provide for us. When we cannot find your peace in our country and long for your blessing, provide for us. As we join the great circle of prayer with all the saints, we ask you to come into our […]
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We pray for peace in our world, our nations, our communities and our homes. The Disciples Peace Fellowship offers weekly Peace Prayers relevant to the concerns of today. The language strives for inclusivity. It is easy to subscribe so the prayers pop up in your email each week. The Disciples Peace Fellowship is connected to […]
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