The World Council of Churches (WCC) is calling its member churches to observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace on Sept. 21.
This year congregations and individuals are invited to pray using the theme of the WCC Assembly, “God of life, lead us to justice and peace.” The assembly takes place in Busan, Republic of Korea Oct. 30-Nov. 8.
The International Day of Prayer for Peace is commemorated by the WCC in conjunction with the United Nations-sponsored International Day of Peace on Sept. 21.
“There’s fresh news each day of injustice, violence and suffering, and the WCC assembly theme itself is a prayer for peace,” said Jonathan Frerichs, WCC program executive for peace-building and disarmament.
“It’s an active prayer ― a witness to faith, a cry of hope and a pledge to be disciples for peace together,” Frerichs added. “May God hear us from International Peace Day to the assembly and far beyond.”
Churches are invited to pray for peace and to also share their prayers via Facebook or Twitter (#peaceday).
The peace prayer day began during the WCC’s ecumenical Decade to Overcome Violence. The idea was born in a meeting between the WCC general secretary and the U.N. secretary general in 2004.