|
Participants in the International Day of Prayer for Peace have received the following letter from the World Council of Churches: The International Day of Prayer for Peace (IDPP) 2007 was a special day around the world. On the 21 alone, people from about 50 countries visited our web page to find information and probably prayers. You have contributed to this day by observing it in your community and we want to thank you for your efforts and commitment. Thank you to all of you who have gone through the trouble of letting us know what you and your church or community is doing! This is greatly appreciated and will encourage others next year. There is evidence that an increasing number of people, communities, churches and networks around the world are observing the International Day of Peace (UN) and the International Day of Prayer for Peace (WCC) http://overcomingviolence.org/about-d....e.html As the people who believe that peace is possible get together and pray, as they work for peace and justice, the momentum grows so that leaders and political powers begin to pay attention. Always remember that it was the perseverance of people, not least in churches, who brought apartheid to end and the Berlin wall to tumble. A sign, discovered last week by the Living Letters team to the US reads: When the people lead the leaders will follow. This is what the International Day of Peace is about. A growing number of people, increasing the momentum for more peace and less violence. Your prayers are a powerful testimony and they strengthen the work you and other do in peacemaking. Some of you have listed their commitment on the International Day of peace vigil website. (www.idpvigil.com) This letter is being written on the International Day of Non-Violence. It is the first time, this international day is being observed and it is not well known yet. There are many international days, but we believe that no day of peace and no day of non-violence is a day too many. Next year the prayers for the International Day of Prayer for Peace will come from the Pacific and it will also include a liturgy. May every day become a day of peace and non-violence. Blessings in the name of the Prince of Peace, Rev. Hansulrich Gerber Coordinator Decade to Overcome Violence World Council of Churches P.O. Box 2100 CH1211 Geneva 2 Switzerland |