Liturgy for the international day of prayer for peace

International Day of Prayer for Peace
21st September 2008

And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace (James 3:18).

Talofa! Kiora! Ia ora na! Bula Vinaka! Malo e lelei! Hafa dai! Halo Olgeta! Aloha!
Greetings in a few of the many tongues of the Pacific!

~ Sound the Conch Shell ~

Cultural Presentation (Kava Ceremony)

It is customary in Pacific cultures to welcome (and say farewell) through the traditional Kava ceremony. No important occasion or event takes place without this tradition.

It is important to understand that when serving the kava, the guest (a chief from the visiting group) will drink first and then a host village chief (of equal status) will drink. This process will continue to all visiting chiefs present during the ceremony.

The kava ceremony for the International Day of Prayer for Peace will serve only one (1) kava. It will be served to God.

~ Sound the Conch Shell ~

Our Vigil of Peace

Our vigil of peace occurs in 3 stages: Reading the Tides (a time of thanksgiving) Against the Currents (a time to listen) and; Making New Waves (a time to act)


I. Reading the Tides

Welcome to a time of reflection, transformation and celebration, as we halt canoes and raise our paddles in unity for the International Day of Prayer for Peace.

We rowed and paddled hard for many years. We were caught in storms, rough tides with broken paddles and no hope; we burned in the day and frozen by night; with blistered hands and sore feet; we hungered and we thirst; we missed; we wept; and we prayed.

We rowed and paddled harder for more years. Then we remembered the calm seas; the pleasant breeze; the beautiful sunsets and clear skies; we ate and were full; we smiled; we laughed; and we prayed.

We dock today to read the tides in thanksgiving for the abundant richness the tides have brought to our shores, to acknowledge that we too swim with the currents of violence, pain and injustice, and finally to make new waves to guide our canoes in the way of justice and peace.

(Please rise)

We will row; we will paddle; and we will pray.

Sing ~ People of Peace

Let us pray

Atua, Chief of Chiefs, God
Allow us to drink from the tanoa* of your peace,
Right the course of our canoes to overcome the currents of violence
Give us peace of being at rest, so that peace prevails over any winds that gust through our islands,
Tattoo in our hearts your righteousness and purity
Through all cultures and walks of life, we gather as instruments of peace. Amen.

- Atua of Peace by M. Aunoa, Am. Samoa submitted for IDPP 2008
*tanoa: kava bowl

Sing ~ To God Be the Glory
1. To God be the glory, great things He has done / So loved He the world that He gave us His Son / Who yielded His life an atonement for sin / And opened the life gate that all may go in.
Refrain: Praise the Lord, praise the Lord / Let the earth hear His voice! / Praise the Lord, praise the Lord / Let the people rejoice! / O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son / And give Him the glory, great things He has done.
2. O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood / to every believer the promise of God /
The vilest offender who truly believes / that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
3. Great things He has taught us, great things He has done / And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son / But purer, and higher, and greater will be / Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

II. Against the Currents

(Cultural Presentation of Artwork for Annual Focus from churches and projects in Pacific)
As we present this artwork of the logo of the World Council of Churches from the Pacific Islands, we are reminded of its history, its story and its voyage. The boat represents a journey. The cross symbolizes Christianity. The waves signify rough seas and even storms. Conflicts, violence, death and negativity have affected the churches and the ecumenical movement, sometimes threatening the fellowship, but one thing remains constant, the cross which forms the mast of our ship, embodying faith and unity.
As we read the Word of God and meditate to a musical selection, think about the colours of life, the faces of joy and hope, and the cries of helplessness, violence and war in the world. Acknowledge that we too swim with the currents of hatred, pain and injustice and just as others are enemies to us, we are enemies to others.

Scriptural Journey
An adaptation of Proverbs 16: 1-7 by WEAVERS of Fiji

The plans of the mind belong to us,
But the answer of the tongue belong to God
All our ways may be pure in our own eyes
But God weighs the spirit
Commit your work to the Lord
And your plan will be established
All things were made with a purpose
Even the wicked for the day of trouble
The arrogant is an abomination to God
But loyalty and faithfulness atones for iniquity
When the ways of the people please the Lord,
Even their enemies will be at peace

(Musical Selection)

The Beatitudes Matthew 5 3-12

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who are reviled, persecuted and falsely accused because of God.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you

(Musical Selection)

(An adaptation of Ephesians 2: 14-18 by A. Mahoe of Hawaii)

For God is our peace who has made us all one,
For God has broken down the diving wall of hostility
To create a new human in place of two,
Make peace and reconcile in one body through the cross
Peace was preached to those who are far
Peace was preached to those who are near
For through the Son, we are in one Spirit to the Father

Sing ~ E toru nga mea from New Zealand (Agape 21)

III. Making New Waves

Testimonies: Witnessing to the Peace of God

(Please rise)

Sing ~ Here I am Lord (in English and Spanish)

I, the Lord of sea and sky, / I have heard my people cry / All who dwell in dark and sin / My hand will save.

Refrain: Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? / I have heard you calling in the night. /
I will go, Lord, if you lead me. / I will hold your people in my heart.
I will break their hearts of stone, / Give them hearts for love alone. / I will speak my words to them. / Whom shall I send?
I, the Lord of wind and flame, / I will send the poor and lame. / I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
(Please be seated)

~
Prayers of Intercession
Sing ~ Kyrie Eleison from Ukraine (Thuma Mina 35)
~

The Lord’s Prayer

We are modest and humble as we commit ourselves through our prayers and our pledges to make new waves of peace beginning with ourselves, our families, communities and the world.
(Please rise)

Sing ~ Pasifika from Pacific Islands

Blessing

Together, we row to the East, paddle to the West, sail to the North and steer to the South with God at the helm of our canoes.
by L. Kolngata, Papua New Guinea for Annual Focus 2008

This Liturgy was put together by Ginger Porter who works in the Decoade to overcome Violence office of the WCC.

Sing ~ Papauta