The following prayer service was put together by the communities of the NorthWest Region as a common prayer experience for the region. Dorothy Zambito, NCLC President, suggested that CLCers around the country and the world might also want to participate in some way.
October 23, 2001
Greetings everyone,
To Karen Nolan and Maggie Brown of Renton Spirit Walkers for putting together this program, and to all of you who sent in contributions for this prayer service, I thank you. We are inviting you to participate in this vigil as one NW/Alaska community on Sunday evening, October 28th at 7pm. Let us pray for all who are so severely affected by the hate and violence that has been unleashed in our nation and world. The entire CLC community in this country is being invited to join in this service with us.
In Christ’s peace,
Larry Gooley, SJ
CLC Prayer Vigil for Peace
October 28, 2001 7 p.m.
Welcome and light candle
Song -- Prayer for Peace, or some other song
Prayer 1 -- Martin Luther King (see below)
Psalm 27
Prayer 2 -- Prayer of Hope for the World (see below)
Silent Prayer
Prayer 3 -- Entrusting Ourselves into the Hands of Jesus (see below)
John 14:23-27
Offering & Petition
Prayer 4 -- When the Night Becomes Dark (see below)
Quiet music
Prayer 5 -- Prayer of Pedro Arrupe, SJ (see below)
Song -- Peace is Flowing Like a River, or some other song
MARTIN LUTHER KING
Excerpts from his acceptance Address for the Nobel Peace Prize October 14, 1964
After contemplation I conclude that this award which I have received on behalf of that movement is a profound recognition that non-violence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time. The need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression.
Civilization and violence are antithetical concepts. Negroes of the United States, following the people of India have demonstrated that nonviolence is not sterile passivity, but a powerful moral force which makes for social transformation.
Sooner or later all the peoples of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace and thereby transform this pending cosmic eulogy into a creative song of brotherhood. I
f this is to be achieved, man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.
I believe that even amid today’s mortar burst and whining bullets there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow.
I believe that wounded justice, lying prostrate on the blood flowing streets of our nations can be lifted form this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men. I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits.
I believe that what self-centered men have torn down, men other-centered can build up. I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and blood shed and non-violent redemptive good will proclaim the rule of the land. And the lion and the lamb shall lie down together and every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid. I still believe that we shall overcome.
Rick Kunkle, Olympia
READ PSALM 27, followed by short silence
PRAYER OF HOPE FOR THE WORLD
Lord God, we come to you in our need: create in us an awareness of the massive and seemingly irreversible proportions of the crisis we face today and a sense of urgency to activate the forces of goodness.
Where
there is blatant nationalism, let there be a global, universal concern;
Where
there is war and armed conflict, let there be negotiation;
Where there is
stockpiling, let there be disarmament;
Where people struggle toward liberation,
let there be noninterference;
Where there is consumerism, let there be a
care to preserve the earth’s resources;
Where there is abundance, let
there be a choice for a simple lifestyle and sharing;
Where there is reliance
on external activism, let there be a balance of prayerful dependence on you, O
Lord:
Where there is selfish individualism, let there be openness to community;
Where there is the sin of injustice, let there be guilt, confession, and
atonement;
Where there is paralysis and numbness before the enormity of the
problems, let there be confidence in our collective effort.
Lord, let us not so much be concerned to be cared for as to care, not so much to be materially secure as to know that we are loved by you. Let us not look to be served, but to place ourselves a the service of others whatever cost to self-interest, for it is in loving vulnerability that we, like Jesus, experience the fullness of what it means to be human. And it is in serving that we discover the healing springs of life that will bring about a new birth to our earth and hope to our world. Amen.
Renton Spirit Walkers, taken from Surrender by Jacqueline Bergan & S Marie Schwan
SILENT PRAYER
Entrusting Ourselves into the Hands of Jesus
Teilhard De Chardin
To
the hands that broke and gave life to the bread,
That blessed and caressed,
that were pierced:
To the kindly and mighty hands that reach down
To
the very marrow of the soul – that molds and creates –
To the hands
through which so great a love is transmitted ;
It is to these that it is
good to surrender our souls –
Above all when we suffer or are afraid,
And in doing so there is a great happiness and great merit.
From Yachats Seekers
READ JOHN 14:23-27, followed by short silence
PETITIONS
WHEN
THE NIGHT BECOMES DARK,
YOUR LOVE, OH LORD, IS A FIRE;
YOUR LOVE, OH
LORD, IS A FIRE.
Lord, Make us crystals that your light of love may shine through us and illuminate the darkness of our world today.
WHEN THE NIGHT BECOMES DARK, ...
That those who are harboring resentments or hatred that they may let go and let God.
WHEN THE NIGHT BECOMES DARK, ...
For the poor and innocent of Afghanistan who are unable to defend themselves against the consequences of war...
WHEN THE NIGHT BECOMES DARK, ...
For wisdom for our government leaders. Peace in Christ.
WHEN THE NIGHT BECOMES DARK, ...
We pray, Lord, for the fire fighters and policemen who gave their lives as they tried to help others – grant that they may be with You in paradise. May their loved ones know comfort and peace in Your everlasting arms.
WHEN THE NIGHT BECOMES DARK, ...
Fear not, my children, call out to God! He who brought this upon you will remember you. As your hearts have been disposed to stray from GOD, turn now ten times the more to seek him; For he who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you bring you back to enduring joy Baruch 4:27-29
WHEN THE NIGHT BECOMES DARK, ...
From Eagles’ Wings, Newport, Oregon
--------- QUIET MUSIC ---------
Nothing
is more practical
than finding God,
that is,
falling in love
in a quite absolute final way.
What
you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination,
will affect everything.
It will decide
what will get you out of bed
in the morning,
what you will do
with your evenings,
how you will spend your weekends,
what you will
read,
who you know, what breaks your heart,
what amazes you with
joy and gratitude.
Fall
in love.
stay in love.
and It will decide everything.
-Fr. Pedro Arrupe S.J.
SONG, such as PEACE IS FLOWING LIKE A RIVER
EXCHANGE OF PEACE
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