I write this piece acutely aware that one week ago most Americans recalled the terror of five years ago—Sept. 11. Some of us also remembered an event that occurred 100 years ago: Mahatma Gandhi’s first public use of nonviolence. On Sept. 11, 1906, 3,000 people in South Africa responded to his call, and the world has not been the same since.
In much the same way, the International Day of Prayer for Peace on Sept. 21 invites people of faith worldwide to acknowledge both the destructive price of violence and the power and promise of God’s peace. This is the third year that the World Council of Churches has invited member churches to observe through prayer and witness the International Day of Peace, which the U.N. declared in 1981.
This year, following the 9th Assembly of the WCC in Porto Alegre, Brazil, ELCA staff will use the prayer created by our sisters and brothers in South America and engage in prayer, alone and in groups, all day long.
Led by Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson at noon on the lawn outside the Lutheran Center in Chicago, they will offer intercessions, remembering as they do that it is God’s “will that peace should shine on all people everywhere.” And at 3:18 p.m., many may pause for a couple of minutes to meditate on the biblical verse: “When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice” (James 3:18, Contemporary English Version).
So this Thursday, join in the prayers. Wherever you are, take a few moments to pray with millions of Christians worldwide in the spirit of this year’s theme: “… and still we seek peace.”
For background information and events, see www.overcomingviolence.org. Under “Resources” you will find prayers for use on the International Day of Prayer for Peace.
This week's front page features:
'God allows the universe to create itself—and evolve': A perspective by Mark Hollabaugh. (Photo at right.)
Were you at this year's ELCA National Youth Gathering in San Antonio? Whether you were a high school participant, a presenter or a chaperone, we want to hear about your Cruzando experience.
Andrea Pohlmann asks: "Are we getting too competitive?"
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