Churches invited to sponsor public prayer on International Day of Prayer for Peace.

The Brethren Witness/Washington Office and On Earth Peace are calling on congregations to organize prayer events as part of the World Council of Churches (WCC) International Day of Prayer for Peace on Sept. 21. The Brethren Witness/Washington Office is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren General Board. On Earth Peace is an agency rooted in the Church of the Brethren, empowering people to discern the things that make for peace.

Sept. 21, 2007, marks the fourth observance of the WCC-sponsored International Day of Prayer for Peace, which joins the 25-year commitment by the United Nations to an International Day of Peace. Churches are invited to plan prayer meetings, vigils, or other events that focus on concerns about violence in their own communities and around the world, and that lift up God's promise of shalom and healing for all people.

On Earth Peace and the Brethren Witness/Washington Office have jointly announced a goal of at least 40 vigils or public prayer meetings sponsored by Brethren congregations. It is hoped that at least half of those events will be cosponsored with ecumenical or interfaith partners, inviting fellow Christian denominations and movements to join with this effort for prayer and peacemaking. Participants are invited to ask God for vision and insight about how to address violence, laying the groundwork for faithful engagement and collaboration to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

"The idea of linking the world in prayer is awesome, whether it is a moment at noon praying, 'May Peace Prevail,' or a 24-hour vigil. It's truly exhilarating!" said Lois Clark, Decade to Overcome Violence organizer for the Northern Indiana District of the Church of the Brethren.

A Source mailing at the beginning of August will include a bulletin insert about the International Day of Prayer for Peace. For more information contact Mimi Copp, Church of the Brethren organizer for the International Day of Prayer for Peace, at 260-479-5087 or miminski@gmail.com. Find the International Day of Prayer for Peace website at http://overcomingviolence.org/en/about-dov/international-day-of-prayer-for-peace.

Source: 7/19/2007 Newsline Extra