Kiwi Steve Taylor, who was trying to fly to USA for the conference this week, regrets that he cannot come. But he has posted last weekends OUTDOOR PEACE SERVICE from his church in New Zealand. That "Peace On Earth" song from U2 has also been rattling and humming in my mind this week. Here are some prayers from that service:
"God of all peace, who wills for every child, every person, wholeness and justice; in the midst of war and violence, we pray for peace.
Grant, O God, to those we name and those we cannot, an out pouring of your spirit of peace; and a new vision of your loving purpose for political and delegated authority.
Grant, O God, an outpouring of your spirit of courage; and a new vision of your loving purpose for our fragile world.
We pray for the people of Iraq, the United States and its allies; that children may be valued, that the oppressed may be freed, that the voiceless will be heard.
Grant, O God, an outpouring of your spirit of love, a new vision of your loving purpose for every human life.
We offer our prayer in great hope that peace with justice will be achieved because it is your will. In doing so, (leaving self behind and taking up our cross), we make our decision to love others better than ourselves, to give others life and hope whatever the cost.
All: Your Kingdom come, Your will be done"
"God of all peace, who wills for every child, every person, wholeness and justice; in the midst of war and violence, we pray for peace.
Grant, O God, to those we name and those we cannot, an out pouring of your spirit of peace; and a new vision of your loving purpose for political and delegated authority.
Grant, O God, an outpouring of your spirit of courage; and a new vision of your loving purpose for our fragile world.
We pray for the people of Iraq, the United States and its allies; that children may be valued, that the oppressed may be freed, that the voiceless will be heard.
Grant, O God, an outpouring of your spirit of love, a new vision of your loving purpose for every human life.
We offer our prayer in great hope that peace with justice will be achieved because it is your will. In doing so, (leaving self behind and taking up our cross), we make our decision to love others better than ourselves, to give others life and hope whatever the cost.
All: Your Kingdom come, Your will be done"
