Churches world-wide to pray for peace on 21 September
Churches representing over 550 million Christians world-wide have been invited for the first time to mark 21 September as an International Day of Prayer for Peace.
In the framework of its Decade to Overcome Violence: Churches seeking Reconciliation and Peace (2001-2010), the World Council of Churches (WCC) has called on its member churches to pray for peace on 21 September or on the Sundays preceding or following that day.
This WCC initiative links to the International Day of Peace declared by the United Nations General Assembly, a world-wide effort intended as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, and as an opportunity for education and raising public awareness.
In an invitation to the Council's member churches, the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia encouraged them to arrange for 24-hour observances or vigils on 21 September, as well as to include prayers for peace in their services on the Sunday before or after that day.
"Observing an International Day of Prayer for Peace together is one way to combine the strength and witness of churches and faith communities with the strength of the many forces in the international community who are also striving to promote peace and justice in our troubled world," Kobia said in his invitation.
UN secretary-general Kofi Annan warmly welcomed the idea of celebrating an International Day of Prayer for Peace on 21 September at a meeting with Kobia on 17 May 2004. Annan said the initiative responds to his hope that the UN Day of Peace will encourage people in different contexts to reflect together on what they can do for peace.
This year, the WCC Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) is focusing on the United States under the theme "The Power and Promise of Peace". In this context, Kobia also asked WCC member churches "to specifically pray for the churches and religious communities in the US who are committing much of their energy for peace and justice in these critical times".
The WCC Decade calls churches and ecumenical organizations to work together at all levels (local, regional, global) with communities, secular movements, and people of all faiths for peace, justice and reconciliation. It also highlights efforts to overcome violence in its different forms, and provides a space for networking and sharing.
According to its mandate, the WCC Decade establishes points of contact with the relevant aims, programmes, and architecture of the UN Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World (2001-2010).
Liturgical resources for the International Day of Prayer for Peace, including prayers, stories and concerns for intercession, are available on the DOV web site:
www.overcomingviolence.org/peace2004
