Prayers for peace for the visit of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

PRAYER FOR PEACE
Ecumenical Centre, Monday, 3 March 2008
For the visit of United Nations’ Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon
(This service was put together by Sabine Udodesku, Theodore Gill, Simei Monteiro and Hannelore Schmid)

Opening

L: We are gathered here to pray for peace and to ask for God’s assistance.

Opening Prayer

L: O God, Lord of the universe, all-merciful and compassionate,
have mercy upon us and illumine our way, our hearts and our minds.

O God, creator and sustainer of all things,
Lord of infinite love, kindness and mercy,
guide us to the way of love when hatred and pride appear to be the easier and more attractive way.

O God, cherisher and sustainer of all beings,
sovereign Lord over all your creation,
in your boundless mercy and care, teach us wisdom and compassion.

All: Amen.


Song: Juyeo narŭl (Lord, make me an instrument of your peace! Sung by the choir of the Korean Church in Geneva)

Prayer

All: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;


where there is hatred, let me sow love;


when there is injury, pardon;where there is doubt, faith;


where there is despair, hope;


where there is darkness, light;


and where there is sadness, joy.


Grant that I may not so much seekto be consoled as to console;


to be understood as to understand,


to be loved as to love;


for it is in giving that we receive,


it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,


and it is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life.

Bible Reading – Micah 4: 3b

… they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Intercessions

L: Eternal God, you gave us this promise in Jesus Christ:


“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers for peace throughout the world.

All: From the depths of our reality we bring our cries to you.

L: Lord, you created one humanity spread through every nation on earth,
and you have called us to become ambassadors of reconciliation.
We confess that your children war with one another,
and our best efforts often fail to stop them;
and we ask your forgiveness, and guidance.
We ask your blessing on all who seek peace and justice.
Especially we pray for the United Nations,
its Secretary General and all who serve its goals.
May the United Nations, and the men and women who work with it,
master the arts and science of peace-making,
promote the healing of human divisions, and improve the lives of all.

Sung response: Ososo (1st verse in Korean) Agape No

L: Lord, you call us to love our neighbour
without distinguishing between family or tribe or homeland;
you show no partiality in bestowing your blessing.
Open our minds and hearts, that we may learn to live together
and to cooperate in the spirit of love and freedom.
We pray today especially for all the people of Kenya, and their neighbours,
that solemn promises may be kept, and animosity be overcome,
and a new beginning be realized in hope.

Sung response: Ososo (2nd verse in Korean)

L: God our Creator, you are sovereign over east and west, south and north.
Despite our determination to divide humanity into camps,
you break down the walls of hostility that keep us from one another.
We pray today especially for the people of Korea,
that the factors which have divided them for too long may be set aside,
that their fellowship and common visions may be reawakened,
and that families may be reunited at last.

Sung response: Ososo (3rd verse in Korean)

L: God of history, you set choices before us and encourage us to act
for the sake of conscience, for the sake of our souls, for the saving of lives.
Be with those who are closest to the crises of this day.
We pray especially for Serbians, for Kosovars, and for their neighbours;
for the people of the Middle East;
for those caught up in the conflicts surrounding Darfur and southern Sudan;
and for all, anywhere, who face danger and death.

We pray, too, for ourselves:
Make clear our own choices, and force us to take action.

Sung response: Ososo (4th verse in Korean)

L: Lord of the Church, and God of all the nations,
continue to be our revelation, our companion, and our guide.
We pray especially for the World Council of Churches,
that it may serve you humbly
in fellowship with its member churches and ecumenical partners,
and in harmony with inhabitants of the universe of living faiths.
Bless all people of faith, loving Spirit,
and lead us to live out our faithfulness in your world.
( copyright WCC by Theodore Gill)

Sung response: Ososo (1st verse in English)

Sending Forth

L: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation. (Isaiah 52, 7a)


Let us go in peace!

Postlude

A Cross Made from Bullets

A symbol of suffering, resistance and peace from Liberia

The biblical vision of changing swords into plowshares is an inspiration for peace efforts. In Liberia, this vision has found new meaning.

Through assistance provided by the Lutheran World Federation Department for World Service Liberia program, George Togba and 30 compatriots are producing crosses in various sizes from spent bullets or shells. “In a dream I had the idea of turning spent bullets and rocket shells into symbols of peace”, says Togba, who was a car mechanic before the civil war.

The marketing of thousands of these peace symbols to Europe and to North America has turned the project into a source of moderate income.

Togba, who joined rebel forces during the conflict to protect his family, is now a Christian peace activist and supports his family by peaceful means.