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World Council of Churches - Update
Contact: + 41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org
For immediate release - 05/09/2005

WCC CALLS CHURCHES TO PRAY TOGETHER FOR PEACE ON 21 SEPTEMBER

Calling on member churches and churches around the world to observe an
International Day of Prayer for Peace on 21 September, World Council of
Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia observes that
"Christian spirituality is not a call to retreat from social action and
public life. As injustice and violence grow, [*] we have all the more
reason to pray with and for one another and for our world."

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: www.overcomingviolence.org

> The full text of Kobia's letter to WCC member churches, ecumenical
officers and Christian World Communions appears below:

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

For the second consecutive year, the World Council of Churches invites all
its member churches and all church communities around the world to observe
an International Day of Prayer for Peace on 21 September, 2005.

That day is the UN International Day of Peace, on which an ever-growing
number of people world-wide are praying for peace and observing vigils in
their communities. 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. 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.

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 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.

Those wishing to join this invitation will find liturgical resources from
Asia on the website of the Decade to Overcome Violence, and in the
brochure circulated for the International Day of Prayer for Peace. Please
also note the other resources related to 21 September, so as to enhance
the coherence and depth of the occasion. We encourage you to be creative
in your actions, and communicate your experiences to others by posting
them on the website of the Decade to Overcome Violence.

In preparation for the World Council of Churches' Ninth Assembly, we join
with you in the prayer God, in your Grace, transform the world and
transform us in the depth of our hearts.

Yours sincerely, in the name of peace,

Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia
General Secretary
World Council of Churches

This material may be reprinted freely.

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The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 347, in
more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works
cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly,
which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally
inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by
general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in Kenya.