International Day of Prayer for Peace

2010 Theme: "Work and Pray in Hope for Peace"

Lutheran Peace Fellowship and the ELCA encourage Lutheran congregations to observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace on Sept. 21, 2010, or on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. This day is a powerful way to build awareness of the deep roots of shalom in the Gospel message.

This year's International Day of Prayer for Peace has a focus on Africa as part of the final year of the World Council of Churches' Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV).

Get Involved:

World Council of Churches
• Prayers for Peace 
• WCC Resources 
• Decade to Overcome Violence 

Lutheran Peace Fellowship:
• Bulletin Insert
• Suggestions for Action 
• Resource Guide: Encouraging Shalom in the Congregation


Odyssey Networks
National Council of Churches USA
The National Council of Churches USA together with Odyssey Networks -A Million Minutes for Peace Campaign are motivated to collect one million pledges to pray for peace in observance of the United Nations International Day of Peace. Go to the Million Minutes for Peace site to watch the inspiring video and to join in pledging a minute of silence to pray for peace. You and/or your organization's name will appear in the Peace Pledge book to be presented at the United Nations on 21 September.
• A Million Minutes for Peace
• Sign the pledge 
• Prayer Wall - Video clips of prayer from interfaith leaders (updated daily until Sept. 21, 2010) 

United Nations:
• International Day of Peace Web site
 

About the International Day of Prayer for Peace
World Council of Churches member churches worldwide are once more invited to pray for peace on September 21, 2010, or the closest Sunday (Sept. 19, 2010).

The International Day of Prayer for Peace offers an opportunity for church communities in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, their families, communities and societies. The idea was proposed in 2004 during a meeting between former WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and coincides with the UN International Day of Peace. The Day of Prayer is one of the initiatives of the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence.

The International Day of Prayer for Peace 2010 is surrounded by peace-related events. One example is the United Nations High-level Plenary Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals, which will take place from Sept. 20-22, 2010, in New York. It will encourage governments to increase their efforts to eradicate poverty within the next five years. Without peace, there will be no long-term development. Violence and the threat of violence make everyday life very difficult, if not impossible. The environment suffers. The quality of life of each and everyone decreases. Peace is essential to ensure that the millennium goals are reached. This has been recognized by the government officials who signed the United Nations Millennium Declaration in 2000.

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

Watch six video greetings that were posted each weekday starting Friday, Sept. 11, 2009. The six videos featured 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, former 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]