Gracious God,

We thank you on this day for all the blessings in our lives. You have blessed the world with

so many devoted people who have lived your mission of unity and reconciliation. Continue to spread your love to the world through such devoted witnesses of your love.

We come to you on this day with sorrow in our hearts. Sorrow about so many places in the

world where people are yearning for peace – but there is no peace. We bring before you

suffering in all places where the cycle of violence is going on and on and there seems to be

no end.

In the refugee camps in Sudan, in the ruins of Gaza, in the villages and cities of Ukraine, in

the hills of eastern Congo, in the rainforests of Colombia, in the mountains of Myanmar.

We bring before you the children who lose their fathers in war. The mothers who desperately stand before the dead bodies of their children under the rubble of their bombed homes. 

Through your son Jesus Christ you know the suffering they experience, you know the

forsakenness they feel, you know their despair. We trust you are present amongst them now.

We ask you to move the hearts of those who are suffering. That they may feel your love,

your comfort, your power.

We ask you to move the hearts of those who cause their suffering. That they may feel

empathy. That they may repent. That they may be liberated from the darkness of death into

the brightness of life.

We pray for all of us that we may see the suffering not only on our side but also on the other side. That we may become instruments of peace.

Gracious God, we ask you to fill our hearts

with your spirit so that we may be witnesses of your son Jesus Christ’s love which moves the

world to reconciliation and unity.

God, we lay our own future and the future of the world in your hands. In you we trust. You

are our creator, our sustainer, our redeemer. You will open the door for peace.

Amen

(World Council of Churches)

Light a candle, as a visible sign of the light of Christ, who is the light of the world. Take a deep breath. Feel the breath of God that has given you life.
Centre yourself and pray…

Loving God,
in the swirling maelstrom of violent conflict, we ask for your peace, your lasting peace,
a peace that turns those who seek to wage war into patient negotiators,
a peace that will not allow children to be harmed or older persons abandoned,
a peace that calms the fear of families faced with leaving their homes,
a peace that means that young men and women will not have to kill or wound,
a peace that speaks the truth and will not descend to lies or deceit.

Loving God,
your peace will become a reality as those who run from conflict are accepted and helped,
your peace will become reality as the powerful ones think twice before unleashing military might,
your peace will become reality as kindness is found amongst the war horrors,
your peace will become reality as confrontation gives way to understanding.

We will know your peace as we listen and as we pray.
We will speak of your peace to those who have power and influence.
We will act in the spirit of your peace to give shelter and end conflict.

We pray in the name of Jesus, who knew violence but lived the hard but peaceful way.

Amen 

―David Sparks

Light a candle, as a visible sign of the light of Christ, who is the light of the

world.

Take a deep breath. Feel the breath of God that has given you life.

Centre yourself and pray…

For those who are

fleeing: sanctuary

For those who are

staying: safety

For those who are

fighting: peace

For those whose hearts are

breaking: comfort

For those who see no future:

hope

(Poor Clares Galway)

On Saturday 19^th October the Toronto Uniting Church, in conjunction with the Allira House Op Shop, held a very successful Fashion Parade.  The music for the event was downloaded from freemusicupload.org and we acknowledge the artists and their songs below.

Title: Same Old Story

Author: Beat Mekanik / https://freemusicarchive.org/music/beat-mekanik/

Source: Free Music Archive / https://freemusicarchive.org/music/beat-mekanik/single/same-old-story/

Licence: CC BY-NC-ND / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Title: Just a Taste

Author: Beat Mekanik / https://freemusicarchive.org/music/beat-mekanik/

Source: Free Music Archive / https://freemusicarchive.org/music/beat-mekanik/single/just-a-taste/

Licence: CC BY-NC-ND / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Title: Dollhouse

Author: Beat Mekanik / https://freemusicarchive.org/music/beat-mekanik/

Source: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/beat-mekanik/single/dollhouse/

Licence: CC BY-NC-ND / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Title: Gone Again

Author: Beat Mekanik / https://freemusicarchive.org/music/beat-mekanik/

Source: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/beat-mekanik/single/gone-again/

Licence: CC BY-NC-ND / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Title: Django

Author: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/

Source: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/django/

Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Title: More than Enough

Author: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/1st-contact/

Source: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/1st-contact/single/more-than-enough/

Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Title: Chasing the Sun

Author: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/snoozy-beats/

Source: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/snoozy-beats/single/chasing-the-sun/

Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Title: Feelin Good

Author: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/snoozy-beats/

Source: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/snoozy-beats/single/feelin-good/

Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Title: Doing Good

Author: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/snoozy-beats/

Source: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/snoozy-beats/single/doing-good/

Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Our Prayer for Peace this week focuses on children/orphans of the wars which are raging at the moment.  It is a prayer which I used a couple of years ago for a Prayer for Ukraine and I have changed “of Ukraine” to “of war”.

Light a candle, as a visible sign of the light of Christ, who is the light of the world. Take a deep breath. Feel the breath of God that has given you life.
Centre yourself and pray…

This week, let us pray for:

• Sustained nourishment as any food is hard to find
• Continued favour for orphans and at-risk children to receive resources
• Safety and provision for orphans and vulnerable children evacuating
• Precious children to feel a sense of security only the Lord can provide

 Let us pray.

Father, you provide in all seasons of our lives. In times of harvest and in times of hardship. Your character does not change. We thank you and praise you for the favour you have shown precious orphans (of war) in receiving vital resources for their survival. Continue to pour out your provision with food that will sustain their little bodies and minds. Bring security and remembrance to their spirits as your beloved children receive specific food they ask or think of knowing you are listening. Lord, you use us to mobilize your provision. Let us carry that burden with the responsibility orphans deserve. Amen.

(From a Family for every Orphan)

Prayer for Peace 20/10/2024

Peace is…

Peace is the resulting action on an agreement to end a war.

Peace is the mutual laying down of weapons.

Peace is the worldwide cessation of armament production.

Peace is the reconciliation between adversaries.

Peace is the change of hearts and minds of people who wage war.

Peace is the smile of the refugee housed following exile from home.

Peace is the satisfaction in the face of a hungry child just fed.

Peace is the return to boyhood of a child soldier.

Peace is the respect for women and their equal rights as human beings.

Peace is the just, merciful and compassionate use of power by the powerful.

Peace is the empowerment of disadvantaged and marginalised people.

Peace is the healing arrived at through truth and reconciliation commissions.

Peace is the mutual respect of people of all faiths and none.

Help us, Lord, to continue to strive for peace in all of its forms.

Amen.

Prayer: Trevor Stockton/CAFOD

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be

With God as our father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow

To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be

With God as our father
Brothers are all we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow

To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me

 
Gracious Lord, we dream of a world free of poverty and oppression, and we yearn for a world free of vengeance and violence.  We pray for your peace.
 
When our hearts ache for the victims of war and oppression, help us to remember that you healed people simply by touching them.  And give us faith in our ability to comfort and heal bodies and minds and spirits that have been broken by violence.
 
When the injustice of this world seems too much for us to handle, help us to remember that you fed 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish.  And give us hope that what we have to offer will turn out to be enough, too.
 
When fear of the power and opinions of others tempts us not to speak up for the least among us, help us to remember that you dared to turn over the tables of moneychangers.  And give us the courage to risk following you without counting the cost.
 
When we feel ourselves fill with anger at those who are violent and oppressive, help us remember that you prayed for those who killed you.  And give us compassion for our enemies, too.
 
When we tell ourselves that we have given all we can to bring peace to this world, help us to remember your sacrifice.  And give us the miracle of losing a little more of ourselves in serving you and our neighbours.
 
Walk with us, Lord, as we answer your call to be peacemakers.  Increase our compassion, our generosity and our hospitality for the least of your children.
 
Give us the courage, the patience, the serenity, the self-honesty and the gentleness of spirit that are needed in a world filled with turmoil and terror.

Jack Knox, pastor of the Salem (Oregon) Mennonite Church

• Day 1 29 September

Pray for the families who have lost loved ones

Prayer Starter: Loving God, we lift up those who mourn the sudden loss of family members and friends. May they feel Your comforting embrace in their grief.

• Day 2 30 September

Pray for the injured and the medical staff tending to them

Prayer Starter: Gracious Healer, be with those in pain and those caring for them. May Your strength and love flow through the hands of doctors and nurses.

• Day 3 1 October

Pray for displaced families seeking refuge and safety

Prayer Starter: Shelter of the Vulnerable, protect those who have been forced from their homes. Provide them with refuge and peace.

• Day 4 2 October

Pray for the leaders of Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and the international community

Prayer Starter: God of Wisdom, guide those in power to work towards peace and justice. Give them the courage and conviction to choose non-violence.

• Day 5 3 October

Pray for children and young people affected by the violence

Prayer Starter: God of the Innocent, protect the hearts, minds and lives of precious children and young people. Bring them safety in the midst of chaos.

• Day 6 4 October

Pray for peace and reconciliation in Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine

Prayer Starter: Prince of Peace, soften hearts hardened by conflict. May Your peace reign over the land and bring reconciliation between all communities.

• Day 7 5 October

Pray for other nations and regions affected by this violence

Prayer Starter: Compassionate Lord, as we lift up Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine, we also remember other regions affected by violence. Bring reconciliation and understanding. May violence cease and peace prevail.

We are moulded, each one of us,
in the image of God,
and within our souls there is a fingerprint
none can erase.
We pray for those who have no regard
for anyone but self,
who put no value on human life.
For nations and individuals who abuse and kill.
We are not called to be judge or jury,
but we are called to be agents of change,
and if the butterfly that flaps its wings
should be our attitude to others
then so be it, Lord,
and may the hurricane this generates
somewhere within the world
reach into the hearts and souls of those
for whom we pray, and reveal to them
how precious are those
for whom they have no love,
and how precious are they
who now bring tears to the eyes of God.

– John Birch