Over 500 million Christians throughout the world have been invited to promote for the first time an international Day of Prayer for Peace. The initiative is being promoted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) as part of its Decade “to overcome violence: Churches seeking reconciliation and peace (2001/2010)”. In a statement the Rev. Samuel Kobia, WCC general secretary, called on the member Churches of the WCC to organize 24-hour prayer vigils for the 21 September and to insert prayers for peace in the Sunday church services preceding or following that day. The initiative forms part of the International Day of Peace declared by the United Nations General Assembly to ask the world to dedicate a day to a global ceasefire and non-violence and to educate and raise public awareness. “Observing an International Day of Prayer for Peace together – says the Rev. Kobia in his press release 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”. UN secretary-general Kofi Annan has also warmly welcomed the idea of celebrating an International Day of Prayer for Peace and said it 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 is especially focusing on the United States. So the WCC is inviting its 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”.
