Opening Prayer
O Lord, our Lord, you have decided that all people, whatever their color or race, are equal before you; break down the hatred between us, especially hatred due to national differences. We ask you to help those in whose hands are the various governments of the world. Reconcile them to one another, so that each may respect the rights of the other. We ask all of this in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
—Author Unknown (Zambian)
Prayer of Illumination
Spirit of the living Christ, come upon us in the glory of your risen power; Spirit of the living Christ, come upon us in all the humility of your wondrous love; Spirit of the living Christ, come upon us that new life may course within our veins, new love bind us together in one family, a new vision of the Kingdom of God spur us on to serve you with fearless passion.
TEXT
Psalm 133 TNIV
How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
Pray not for Arab or Jew, for Palestinian or Israeli, but pray rather for yourselves, that you may not divide them in your prayers but keep them both together in your hearts.
— A Palestinian Christian