Preamble
Scott Murphy: Welcome to this sacred moment and place as we pause on Christmas day to offer a prayer for peace.
Stassi Cramm: This month we celebrate 30 years of praying for peace. The spiritual practice of the prayer for peace has become rooted in our identity. Around the world when people gather as Community of Christ the prayer for peace is often an integral part of their experience together.
Scott Murphy: As we unite our hearts in this time of praying for peace, I share these words from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, to prepare the way:
“and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly hosts praising God and saying ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on Earth peace…'”
Prayer
Stassi Cramm: Let us pray.
God who loved the world so much that you gave your son, we unite our hearts as we pray for peace. On this sacred day, we gather in the warmth of Christmas. We also recognize the turmoil that grips our world and makes our hearts heavy. Amid the chaos and uncertainty, we turn to you, the source of true peace, the peace that passes all understanding.
Scott Murphy: As we reflect on the message of the angels who proclaimed “Peace on Earth, good will to all,” we are reminded of the the urgent need to respond to their clarion call. In a world that often seems to echo with discord, hatred, and division, we seek the transformative power of Christ’s peace. Grant us the wisdom to recognize barriers that separate us from one another, and the strength to dismantle them. May we be instruments of reconciliation, agents of love, and ambassadors of understanding in a world that so desperately needs these gifts.
Stassi Cramm: We lift up to you those who are suffering due to conflict, violence, and injustice; wrap your comforting arms around them. Empower us to be agents of change. May our efforts be guided by the spirit of compassion and justice, seeking a world where all people can experience the fullness of Christ’s peace.
On this Christmas day, let the message of the Christ child, whose birth brought hope into the world be born anew. May we be the bearers of that hope messengers of Christ’s peace and instruments of your love.
Scott Murphy: In the midst of all of the challenges that surround us and press to divide us, may the Light of Christ shine brightly in our hearts, dispelling the darkness and illuminating the way of peace. May we as Community of Christ be a beacon of of hope and peace in a world longing for healing and reconciliation.
Stassi Cramm: This is our Christmas prayer for peace, which we offer in the name of Jesus the peaceful one. amen.
Announcement
Scott Murphy: We hope everyone has had a blessed Christmas season.
As we move into the new year, we are excited to announce that we will be streaming the prayer for peace weekly on Wednesdays.
Stassi Cramm: So please join us online as we begin this new virtual practice together on Wednesday 3 January at 1 p.m. Independence time. Watch the church’s website and social media for more information.
Scott Murphy: Thank you for joining us today. We look forward to following the way of peace as a church in 2024 and beyond.
Sending Off
Stassi Cramm: May these words from Romans 15, verse 13, guide our way through Christmas and into the New Year:
“May the god of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Scott Murphy: May Christ’s peace lead the way