Churches invited to international day of prayer for peace
-05/09/005
The World Council of Churches is inviting churches around the globe to observe an International Day of Prayer for Peace later this month.
That day falls on the UN International Day of Peace – 21 September – on which an ever-growing number of people world-wide are praying for peace and observing vigils in their communities.
In an open letter, Rev Dr. Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary observed; “we believe that for Christians, it is appropriate to join the concern and desire of humanity for peace and nonviolence by applying their most consistent way of intervening in world affairs, that is, by prayer”.
“As Christians, we can join with one another in prayer even though we may not agree on many things concerning world affairs.”
The International Day of Prayer was launched in 2004.
“Last year, when we launched the International Day of Prayer for Peace for the first time, we pointed out that Christian spirituality is not a call to retreat from social action and public life. As injustice and violence grow and intrude into many of our homes and communities, we have all the more reason to pray with and for one another and for our world. Authentic prayer is not only effective, it is beautiful. It shows us the beauty of peaceful community. Prayer increases our inclination to work together in peace and justice”, said Kobia.
This year, in the context of the Decade to Overcome Violence (2001-2010): Churches seeking Reconciliation and Peace, Christian communities all over the world are being invited to pray in particular for communities in Asia.
The theme set by the Christian Conference of Asia is “Building Communities of Peace for All”.
“That in itself is a prayer which commits us, includes fellow human beings, and expresses hope for the future” said Kobia.
Those wishing to join in the day of prayer are being encouraged to be creative in their actions, and communicate their experiences to others by posting them on the website of the Decade to Overcome Violence.
A brochure on this year’s International Day of Prayer for Peace (in PDF form), liturgical resources from Asia and other resources are available on the website of the Decade to Overcome Violence
Churches invited to international day of prayer for peace
-05/09/005
The World Council of Churches is inviting churches around the globe to observe an International Day of Prayer for Peace later this month.
That day falls on the UN International Day of Peace – 21 September – on which an ever-growing number of people world-wide are praying for peace and observing vigils in their communities.
In an open letter, Rev Dr. Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary observed; “we believe that for Christians, it is appropriate to join the concern and desire of humanity for peace and nonviolence by applying their most consistent way of intervening in world affairs, that is, by prayer”.
“As Christians, we can join with one another in prayer even though we may not agree on many things concerning world affairs.”
The International Day of Prayer was launched in 2004.
“Last year, when we launched the International Day of Prayer for Peace for the first time, we pointed out that Christian spirituality is not a call to retreat from social action and public life. As injustice and violence grow and intrude into many of our homes and communities, we have all the more reason to pray with and for one another and for our world. Authentic prayer is not only effective, it is beautiful. It shows us the beauty of peaceful community. Prayer increases our inclination to work together in peace and justice”, said Kobia.
This year, in the context of the Decade to Overcome Violence (2001-2010): Churches seeking Reconciliation and Peace, Christian communities all over the world are being invited to pray in particular for communities in Asia.
The theme set by the Christian Conference of Asia is “Building Communities of Peace for All”.
“That in itself is a prayer which commits us, includes fellow human beings, and expresses hope for the future” said Kobia.
Those wishing to join in the day of prayer are being encouraged to be creative in their actions, and communicate their experiences to others by posting them on the website of the Decade to Overcome Violence.
A brochure on this year’s International Day of Prayer for Peace (in PDF form), liturgical resources from Asia and other resources are available on the website of the Decade to Overcome Violence