International Day of Prayer for Peace

Each year on 21 September the World Council of Churches calls churches and parishes to observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace. 21 September is also the United Nations-sponsored International Day of Peace.

Prayers for peace

This year the World Council of Churches (WCC) is asking the 1,000 people who attended the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Kingston in May 2011 to offer a prayer for peace as a follow-up to that important event.

Each of the 1,000 participants, as well as all those who have followed the events in Jamaica from afar, are being invited to compose a prayer. They are invited to share it with members and leaders of their church, with people they met at IEPC and within their networks. The WCC will post all prayers received on Facebook.

Offer a prayer of hope for a just peace. Perhaps there is a hope you experienced in Kingston, a hope you received or a hope you were able to give.

Here’s how to share each prayer:

Put your prayer for a just peace into a few words or a picture that symbolizes your hope for peace.

Share it with friends you met in Kingston and others in two steps:

In the lead up to 21 September 2011:

Post your prayer on Facebook,
or send it to infowcc (at) wcc-coe.org for us to post.

For 21 September 2011, or for the nearest Sunday:

Share the prayers gathered at facebook.com/event.php?eid=131541783606659 with members and leaders of your church, with people you met at IEPC and with your networks;
Say the prayer(s) in worship or at a peace day event.

About the International Day of Prayer for Peace

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 WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and 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.

Read the press release

The United Nations International Day of Peace

1981 the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution 36/67 declaring an International Day of Peace. In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a new resolution 55/282 declaring 21 September of each year as the International Day of Peace. The intention of the resolution is to have the entire world observe a day of peace and nonviolence. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has asked all United Nations departments and agencies to expand their observance this year, extending a special invitation to civil society as well.

The UN International Day of Peace on 21 September takes place, each year, in parallel with the International Day of Prayer for Peace (IDPP). The UN day is a day on which armed conflict is meant to be stilled, a day for combatants to observe cease-fires, a day on which all people are invited to commit or reaffirm their commitment to non-violence and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Read more on the International Day of Peace: International Day of Peace

The United Nations International Day of Peace Vigil

An ever-expanding number of people worldwide, representing a wide variety of religious and spiritual traditions, have committed to the task of working with other like-minded individuals and groups for an International Day of Peace Vigil.
The objective of the International Day of Peace Vigil is "to encourage worldwide, 24-hour spiritual observations for peace and nonviolence on the International Day of Peace, 21 September in every house of worship and place of spiritual practice, by all religious and spiritually based groups and individuals, and by all men, women and children who seek peace in the world."

Please register your commitment on the International Day of Peace Vigil website at www.idpvigil.com and make it thus known to others who would like to join in.
Look up the International Day of Peace Vigil website for more information: