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Prayer Service on Peace Gandhi Jayanthi - International Day of Non-Violence. Theme: Quote: Logo: Scripture: Ritual: Be the change you want to see in the world - Mahatma Gandhi Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong. - Mahatma Gandhi Peace begins with a smile Mother Teresa Blessed are the peace makers, for they will be called children of God (Mt.5/9) A: Peace Meditation A Buddhist Prayer B: Pledge of Nonviolence Event: 2 October 2011 - Gandhi Jayanthi - International Day of Non-Violence. 21 September International Day of Peace. (Refer: Introduction at the end) Instruction: Keep a Candle / Lamp lighted throughout the prayer service. Have a devotional / classical music played to create a prayerful atmosphere. Leader Introduction: (All are seated comfortably) The United Nations (UN) International Day of Nonviolence is a global observance since the year 2007 annually held on October 2 to coincide with Mahatma Gandhis birthday. The UN recognizes Mahatma Gandhis legacy in his adherence to the doctrine of Nonviolence of nonviolent Jesus in protecting human rights for everyone deserves to be treated with respect. M. K. Gandhi was born in India on October 2, 1869 and contributed to Indias freedom with the philosophy of Ahimsa as a tool for the peaceful resolution of differences for there is no such thing as defeat in nonviolence (Cesar Chavez). All society is held together by nonviolence even as the earth is held in her position by gravitation(Gandthi). Nonviolence leads to the highest ethics which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings we are still savages (Thomas Edison). Nonviolence must prevail at every level from individuals to governments, for true and lasting peace. We welcome you dear friends for this prayer service on Peace. Let us turn around and acknowledge the presence of those close to us with a smile. We sing with the choir Peace is flowing (Pause) Choir: Prayer Song: Peace is flowing like a river: - http://youtu.be/TigRAF0G_E4 1. Peace is flowing like a river / flowing out through you and me, spreading out into the desert / setting all the captives free. Chorus: Let it flow though me/Let it flow though me Let the mighty Peace of God/Flow out through me (repeat chorus) 2. Love.. 3. Joy..
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Ritual A: Meditation A Buddhist Prayer Ref- http://youtu.be/9xNnkRBZmFI

Teacher 1: Let us sit comfortably, relax breathing deeply as we experience the presence of the God of peace who loves each of us with infinite compassion. Let us breathe in the peace and mercy of God that hovers over all Creation. Close your eyes and breathe deep till you find the rhythm and the sensation of breathing. Be aware of the energy flow through the body with each in - and - out breath and relax. Spread thoughts of peace and good will to the people and environment around you. (Pause) The bell will mark the beginning and ending of the meditation with a Buddhist Prayer. Teacher 2: (Pronounce loudly but slowly the Buddhist prayer below) {Pause . Bell 1 stroke.Pause} PEACE TO ALL BEINGS May all beings be well and happy . and free from fear PEACE. (Pause)

PEACE TO ALL BEINGS Whether Near or Far Known or unknown Real or imaginary.. ..Visible or invisible Born or yet to be born PEACE. (Pause) PEACE TO ALL BEINGS Within and beyond Imagination In the world of Ideas .. In the world of Memories and in the world of Dreams PEACE. (Pause) PEACE IN ALL ELEMENTS Earth Air .. Fire and .. ..Water Fulfilled in space . PEACE. (Pause) PEACE IN ALL UNIVERSES . from the Smallest Cells in our Body ..to the Greatest Galaxies in Space .. PEACE. (Pause) PEACE .and .. LIGHT.. RISING (Pause) {Pause . Bell 1 stroke.Pause. (End of the meditation.)} Let us end the meditation with a prayer Prayer: Teacher 3 Almighty and Merciful God, we are thankful for the gifts of life and being, of love and relationship. We appreciate all the wonders of the world around us. We are thankful for each other and all the members of our global family. May we have eyes that see, hearts that love and hands that are ready to serve in love and kindness, with caring and courage. Bless us to love one another and to reconcile with everyone, to resist injustice and spread the practice of nonviolence. Blessed be Your Name. Reader 1: Gandhi is with us everywhere - in the currency and the stamps. Every city has a road or market named after him; but his spirit is missing somewhere. Todays generation has not seen Mahatma Gandhi and his way of fighting against the English. The Hazare movement of Gandhigiri on the lines
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of noble reforms made history in which future generations can take pride. In Anna Hazare India celebrated the countrys crusade against corruption in August 2010. We can play our part in uprooting corruption so that we will have a less corrupt world. Being willing to stand in line waiting for our turn, in following normal procedures to get services as seat in a bus, tickets, gas cylinder etc is a definite step, without being a bully or bribe, as the end does not justify the means. Nonviolence stands on the universal principle of love that avoids not only external physical violence but internal violence of spirit even in a hostile situation. Nonviolence include speech for how we speak to each other and about each other is as important to be congruent in thought, word and action and hence gossip, harsh speech, bullying, defamation, intimidation, slander has no excuse. When the power of love conqers the love of power, then the world will know peace. Let God grant us His peace that we be the kind of persons who can live at peace as we sing Let there be peace on earth The Choir: Prayer Song: Let there be peace on earth - http://youtu.be/wRFNg-Eyt_0 Chorus: Let there be peace on earth / and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth / the peace that was meant to be. With God as our father / Brothers all are we. Let me walk with my brother / in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me Let this be the moment now. With every step i take / Let this be my solemn vow. To take each moment / and live each moment / With peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth, / and let it begin with me. Chorus Let peace begin with me / Let this be the moment now. With every step I take / Let this be my solemn vow. To take each moment / and live each moment / In peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth / and let it begin with me. Chorus Reader 2: Non-violence Gandhi said, is the supreme law and the most active force in the world. Just as one must learn the art of killing in the training for violence, so one must learn the art of dying in the training for nonviolence. A person who can express nonviolence in life exercises a force superior to all the forces of brutality. We must use our minds as rigourously to plan for peace as we have used them to plan for war (Martin Luther King Jr.) Jesus the prince of peace invites us to think peace, speak peace and live peace individually, in families, communities and nations. When the practice of nonviolence becomes universal, God will reign on earth as He reigns in heaven. Let us listen to the scripture on what nonviolent Jesus says. Scripture: Reader 3: 'Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God' (Mathew 5: 9) (After a brief pause of 20 to 30 seconds) Almost everyone in the world wants peace - in war-torn countries, in families, in marriages and in all relationships and among nations. It's also interesting that everybody wants to be called a child of God. True peace comes from God who gifts His peace to people of good will. God has called us to
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walk in peace, to seek peace and pursue it (I Cor 7:15). Let us unite together to heal this planet with our peaceprints to make a peaceful world. Ritual B: A Pledge of Nonviolence: Reader 4: Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong. Nonviolent movements seek justice and reconciliation and not victory. The pledge of nonviolence states that making peace must start within us and in our family. By adopting it we commit ourselves as best as we can to become nonviolent and peaceable people. Let us take the Pledge of Nonviolence together and reinforce nonviolent thoughts in ourselves and those around us. (Each child will have the pledge of nonviolence written earlier in his handbook and will join in.) I invite all those who are ready to stretch your right hand to join in the pledge of nonviolence. Pledge of Nonviolence: In the name of the God of Peace, I pledge today to To Respect Self and Others - To respect myself, to affirm others and to avoid selfish criticism, hateful words, physical attacks and self-destructive behavior. To Communicate Better - To share my feelings honestly, to look for safe ways to express my anger and to work at solving problems peacefully. To Listen - To listen carefully to one another, especially those who disagree with me and to consider the feelings and needs of others, rather than insist on having my own way. To Forgive - To apologize and make amends when I have hurt another, to forgive others and to keep from holding grudges. To Respect Nature - To treat the environment and all living things, including our pets, with respect and care. To Play Peacefully - To select entertainment and toys that support nonviolence and to avoid entertainment that makes violence look exciting, funny or acceptable. To Be Courageous - To challenge violence in all its forms whenever I encounter it, whether at home, school, work or in the community and to stand with others who are treated unfairly. This is my pledge. These are my goals. May the God of Peace give us the grace and strength to live our pledge and make us instruments of Gods peace. / Name / Date Exchange of Peace: Leader: Let us greet one another with the sign of peace as we conclude the prayer service. (People turn to each other and offer the sign of peace) The Choir: will sing the Closing Song: (Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi) Make me a channel of your peace: Refer: http://youtu.be/eHVz45n5a9M OR (Repeat) Peace is flowing like a river: http://youtu.be/TigRAF0G_E4 Make me a channel of your peace. / Where there is hatred let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord / And where there's doubt, true faith in you.
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Chorus:

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek / So much to be consoled as to console To be understood as to understand / To be loved as to love with all my soul. Make me a channel of your peace / Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope Where there is darkness, only light / And where there's sadness, ever joy. Chorus: Make me a channel of your peace / It is in pardoning that we are pardoned In giving to all men that we receive / And in dying that we're born to eternal life. Chorus: Note: The Pledge of Nonviolence can be taken in a family, a group, a community followed by appending the signatures. Then follow up with monthly/ quarterly meeting to check on the practice of what is pledged to support each other to be more peaceable people. .. Requirements: A Teacher and 2/3 student leaders will take full responsibility for prior preparation: 1. Arrange and organize the prayer service, with prior preparation for the requirements. Assign readers (3 teachers, 3pupils) to practice earlier and responsibly render their role to set a prayerful tone to let the prayer flow with meaningful pauses without flaw. 2. Display prominently The Theme, Quote and the Logo. 3. Students to write the pledge earlier in class and bring it for the prayer service 4. Prayerfully conduct the Ritual of Meditation with prior practice. 5. Choir to practice earlier and sing.
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{21 Sept: International day of Peace) Introduction : (for International day of Peace) {The International Day of Peace, observed each year on 21 September since 1982, is a global call for ceasefire and non-violence. The Day is commemorated through education and public awareness on issues related to peace. Peace does not just happen - it must be nurtured, maintained and defended. Peace is not just the absence of conflict and violence, but a positive presence. If I can have peace and love in me then I am a source for that to reach others. Educating for and about all aspects of peace constitutes peace education. Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hill top, nor is given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering (Ajahn Chah). Peacekeeping, peacemaking and peace building through reconciliation, mediation, justice, tolerance and harmony among peoples and nations is a definite step towards building peace. "Since wars began in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men [and women] that the defenses of peace must be constructed.}
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