World’s Churches join UN to celebrate International Day of Prayer for Peace

The world’s ecumenical communities joined together with the United Nations for the first time on 21st September 2004 to observe an International Day of Prayer for Peace. Christian leaders from a wide variety of religious theological backgrounds gave short broadcast messages. Elsewhere, churches around the world held 24-hour vigils, as well as many fairs, educational programs and various other ways to promote peace taking place.

The International Day of Peace originated in 1981 after the United Nations General Assembly resolution. In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly once again created a similar resolution which announced September 21st as the official International Day of Peace.

The Assembly declared that the Day be observed as day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day.

The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Samuel Kobia gave an explanation for the reason why the WCC and UN had joined together, and described the event as “one way to combine the strength and witness of churches and faith communities with the strength of the many forces in the international community who are also striving to promote peace and justice in our troubled world.”

In his address, Kobia also said, “We hope and pray this common observance will make the power and promise of peace more tangible for all who feel desperate by the continuing violence and injustices and look for signs of hope. Let us join in the prayer chosen by the WCC for its 9th Assembly: ‘God, in your grace, transform the world.’”

The WCC reported that millions of Christians from all over the world would be joining the 24-hour observance, and were confident that those joining would come from all traditions including evangelical, ecumenical, Pentecostal and Catholic etc...

The United Nations have announced that the ultimate goal of this year’s day of prayer was “to encourage worldwide, 24-hour spiritual observations for peace and non-violence on the International Day of Peace, Tuesday, 21 September 2004 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.”

Numerous two-minute video clips of messages given by more than a dozen Christian leaders and peace advocates have been posted up for release on: Decade to Overcome Violence website