International Day of Prayer for Peace

 
Watch the video On September 21, 2009, churches and communities throughout the world joined in prayer in a collective call for peace. The ELCA Lutheran Center begins a weeklong observance of this annual World Council of Churches event with several activities including a series of brief daily video reflections. 

Watch six video greetings each weekday beginning on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009. The six videos feature messages from members of the ELCA Interunit Task Force for the Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence, including:
  • The Rev. Stephen Bouman, Executive Director, ELCA Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission [9/11/09]
  • Donna Braband, Director for Schools, ELCA Vocation and Education [9/14/09]
  • Dennis Frado, Director, Lutheran Office for World Community, Church in Society [9/15/09]
  • Glen Gersmehl, National Coordinator, Lutheran Peace Fellowship [9/16/09]
  • Kim Stietz, former Director for International Public Policy, ELCA Church in Society [9/17/09]
  • The Rev. Robert Smith, Continental Director for Europe and the Middle East, ELCA Global Mission [9/18/09]


2009 Theme: "One Love: Building a Peaceful World"
Scripture text

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body.
And be thankful. -- Colossians 3:14-15
Worship Resources

Here are worship resources developed by the ELCA Interunit Task Force for the Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for use in your ministry setting:

Background

On September 21, 2009, churches and communities throughout the world committed to the International Day of Peace through prayer, meditation and other forms of spiritual observance. For 2009, the World Council of Churches (WCC) office for the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) has made available prayer and liturgical resources developed in the context of this year's DOV focus on the Caribbean and its theme “One Love: Building a Peaceful Caribbean.” ELCA congregations, institutions, and organizations were invited to join others from around the world in praying for peace.

The International Day of Prayer for Peace was proposed at a 2004 meeting between WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and UN secretary general Kofi Annan. The WCC’s invitation to pray for peace on 21 September, or the closest Sunday, coincides with a United Nations’ initiative that encourages “global 24-hour spiritual observation for peace,” which “is meant to demonstrate the power of prayer and other spiritual practices in promoting peace and preventing violent conflict.”

Find out more information

International Day of Prayer for Peace 2009

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