call on him while he is near.

7Let the wicked forsake their ways

and the unrighteous their thoughts.

Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,

and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

8“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,”

We Who Are Searching for the Homeland, the Garden of Eden

Rev. Sun Myung Moon
June 9, 1957

1 Peter 4: 7-19

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Prayer

Beloved Father! We understand that the sorrow of Adam who lost the Garden of Eden is our sorrow and the bitterness of heaven. Moreover, we also know that the fact that the human ancestors who should rejoice in the ideals of the Garden of Eden are not able to do so is the grief of Heaven.

Father, since the responsibility of us who are facing the adverse situation of the fall is heavy, if you do not put us in the position of having sanctified again and extend your hands of recreation, then there will be no one who is more miserable than we, so Father of love, please extend the hands of compassion! We wish to offer our minds and bodies to Father this hour, so please accept us. We earnestly hope that by molding us, according to Father’s sung sang, you will allow us to take charge of your will.

Father! Lonely sons and daughters have bowed their heads and are calling your name, so please be with them. We know that nothing can be done with human power alone, so Father, please govern the minds and bodies of us who have gathered here today.

Please do not allow them to become stragglers in the course that demands that they dash forward at full speed. Please lead them not to be defeated during conflict, and please allow us to become the sons and daughters who can sing your glory for eternity and boast of your love. Even if the environment is difficult, please allow us to overcome that environment, and even if we are to fall down during the fight, please allow us to listen to the voice of Father calling out to us and stand up.

Father, please bless the many altars who have gathered here on behalf of the people today, and please allow us to prepare the Abel-type altar on this earth and to gather. By doing so, we wish from the depth of our hearts that you will guide us to become the children of the Abel- type altar who can take responsibility and pay indemnity for the sins of the ancestors who were in discord even when they entered the Holy of Holies. Father. We know that in this hour the children of lonely altars who have spread in countryside are having pledge service, so even for this one hour please be with them, and guide them so that they can become the elite troops of heaven who can hold the shield of victory to fight strongly and win even if they belong to a lonely altar. Father, we earnestly entreat that you will manifest the same grace and work, guide these who have received the calling in the last days to be loyal, and allow them to become the sons and daughters who live truthful lives during ordinary times. Beloved Father, we hope that you will unite the members who have gathered here into one, and guide them to obey your commandments and bow before Father, and that you will allow this to be the hour when we can repent and be offered as the sanctified living sacrifice.

Are there sons and daughters who have been wounded by Satan during the past week? Father, please rule over their minds and bodies this moment and allow new joy and glory of heaven. Moreover, beloved Father, we sincerely wish that you will allow this to be a moment when they can build the altar of joy before Father and return joy and glory to Father.

We have gathered here now, so allow us to put down all of our character, thoughts, and concepts before Father and free ourselves from Satan’s conditions of accusation. Father! Millions of Satans are accusing us, so please protect them so that not even one of them will set the conditions for their accusations.

We only want to be give all of our bodies and minds as well as all of our sincere heart and be offered as the sacrifice of living livestock, so, hoping that you will rule over us and go visit all the members to manifest glory, we prayed all the words in the name of the Lord. Amen.