wfn.org | ABCUSA: Leaders Call for Prayer in Time of War

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 3/19/03)--American Baptist
Churches USA General Secretary the Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley and members of the
denomination's National Executive Council today issued a call to prayer to
all American Baptists on the eve of likely armed conflict in Iraq.

Joining Pastor Medley in the statement were the Rev. Dr. Sumner M. Grant,
executive director of The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board; the Rev.
Daniel J. Rawleigh, acting executive director of American Baptist
Educational Ministries; the Rev. Dr. John A. Sundquist, executive director
of American Baptist International Ministries; and the Rev. Dr. Aidsand F.
Wright-Riggins III, executive director of American Baptist National
Ministries.  

"We are compelled as a people of faith in Jesus Christ and as stewards of
God's precious creation to lay before God in prayer our concerns and
petitions in a time of war," they said in their statement.

"We call upon all American Baptists to join us as we pray:

"for all, on each side of the conflict, whose lives and well-being are now
in jeopardy by the very act of war;

"for those world leaders whose actions will impact millions, that they might
yet--at this late hour--choose the peace of diplomacy and not the punishment
of war;

"for the stability and compassionate renewal of those people in harm's
way--so many of whom are vulnerable and in pain even now--in the aftermath
of this seemingly inevitable conflict; 

"for the transforming presence of a God of love and justice in the midst of
hardened hearts and unconditional agendas, that the world would now move
closer to peacemaking and reconciliation as means of affirming the life we
share on this planet."

K/2003ABNS/03ABN42 

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org