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2002 Activities

2002 Activities

Biblical Support

Letter to armed

Report
Days of Prayer

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Prayer service for Colombia

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:	We are gathered to pray for our Colombian sisters and brothers. In the midst of the hardships and sufferings brought about by a fifty-year-old civil war, many Colombians are striving to bring peace to their nation. In the words of a Colombian Mennonite:
Reader:	"We trust that God, as the Good Shepherd, will walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death, and as Prince of Peace, will lead us to hope for the day in which, in Colombia and the world, everyone can sit beneath their vine and fig tree in peace and unafraid."
Hymn: "We shall walk through the valley," Hymnal: A Worship Book #412
Reader:	"In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of all mountains, and shall be raised up above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, and many nations shall come and say: 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; 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; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. For all the peoples walk, each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever." (Micah 4:1-5)

PRAYERS FOR PEACE

Leader:	God, we praise you for the courageous work being done by Christians in Colombia, as they strive to bring about peace and justice for all within their country. We pray for their protection, as they are being targeted by all sides. We pray for strength to persevere in their long struggle. We pray that through it all you will sustain their hope.
Response:	"Oyenos, mi Dios" (Hear us, my God) Hymnal: A Worship Book #358
Leader:	Good Shepherd, we ask for your care and protection for those suffering in Colombia. We ask for strength for those who have lost loved ones in the war. We pray for healing for the victims of violence. We pray that the many displaced persons will find a home -- both a physical home and comfort in your presence.
Response:	"Oyenos, mi Dios"
Leader:	Prince of Peace, we pray for the thousands of Colombians who are working to bring an end to the conflict and a more just society for all. We also pray for all of the armed groups in the conflict - the paramilitaries, the guerrillas, and the military - that they will cease their violence, repent, and turn in humility to you.
Response:	"Oyenos, mi Dios"
Leader:	Merciful God, we confess that for too long we in North America have complacently stood by, unaware of the situation in Colombia and implicitly supporting government policies which have prolonged the war. We ask for forgiveness for our complacency, and for courage to stand with our Colombian brothers and sisters. We pray for wise policies from our governments that will bring peace instead of continuing this destructive war.
Response:	"Oyenos, mi Dios"

PROCLAIMING PEACE (from Psalm 46: 6-11)

Men:	The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter
Women:	God utters his voice, the earth melts.
Men:	The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Women:	Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
Men:	He makes wars cease to the end of the earth.
Women:	He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
Men:	'Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.'
Women:	The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Hymn: "Beyond a dying sun," Hymnal: A Worship Book #323
or "Let there be light, Lord God," Hymnal: A Worship Book #371

BENEDICTION

(adapted from Hymnal: A Worship Book #769)

Leader:	Guide us, Good Shepherd and Prince of Peace,
People:	that in your light we may see light,
Leader:	in your truth find freedom,
People:	and in your will discover peace.
All:	through Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN.