International Day of Prayer for Peace: 21 September 2008

Solomon Islands, 1999, Photo © Peter Williams/WCC

An Invitation for Prayers for Peace

Theme: Witnessing to God’s Peace

With thousands of islands scattered in the largest ocean in the world, with the diverse cultures of Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia, and with many geographical barriers, Pasifika, peace, the Pacific Region, still intend to stand and stay together, answering and Witnessing to God’s Peace through declarations and prayers for peace.

As Christians, we believe in the power of prayer, the unity and justice it promises, and the peace that springs from it.

The World Council of Churches invites original and/or cited Prayers for Peace for, and from the Pacific Region for the Decade to Overcome Violence Annual Regional Focus and the International Day of Prayer for Peace (21 September).

We applaud all efforts and salute all those working together for a world of peace.

Please submit your prayers soon as they need to be translated, published and distributed.

Submit your prayers by email, fax to +41 (0)22 791 61 22 or postal services to:

Decade to Overcome Violence
World Council of Churches
P.O. Box 2100
1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland
Telephone: +41 (0)22 791 61 06

 

About the International Day of Prayer for Peace

WCC member churches worldwide are once more invited to pray for peace on 21 September 2008 or the closest Sunday. The International Day of Prayer for Peace offers an opportunity for church communities in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, their families, communities and societies. The idea was proposed in 2004 during a meeting between WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (press release), and coincides with the UN International Day of Peace. The Day of Prayer is one of the initiatives of the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence.
Congregations worldwide are invited to pray for peace - possibly using the same prayers - in all participating churches on September 21 or the Sunday preceding it. 

The International Day of Peace

1981 the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution 36/67 declaring an International Day of Peace. In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a new resolution 55/282 declaring 21 September of each year as the International Day of Peace. The intention of the resolution is to have the entire world observe a day of peace and nonviolence. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has asked all United Nations departments and agencies to expand their observance this year, extending a special invitation to civil society as well.
Read more: International Day of Peace

The United Nations International Day of Peace Vigil

An ever-expanding number of people worldwide, representing a wide variety of religious and spiritual traditions, have committed to the task of working with other like-minded individuals and groups for an International Day of Peace Vigil.
The objective of the International Day of Peace Vigil is "to encourage worldwide, 24-hour spiritual observations for peace and nonviolence on the International Day of Peace, 21 September 2007 in every house of worship and place of spiritual practice, by all religious and spiritually based groups and individuals, and by all men, women and children who seek peace in the world."

Please register your commitment on the International Day of Peace Vigil website at www.idpvigil.com and make it thus known to others who would like to join in.
Look up the International Day of Peace Vigil website for more information:

See also...