International Day of Prayer for Peace

On 21 September, churches and communities throughout the world are committing to the International Day of Peace through prayer, meditation and other forms of spiritual observance.  For 2008, the 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 Pacific region and its theme "Witnessing to God's 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 Sunday preceding it, coincides with a United Nations' initiative that encourages "global 24-hour spiritual observance for peace", which "is meant to demonstrate the power of prayer and other spiritual practices in promoting peace and preventing violent conflict".