Dear Friends of the Council on Christian Unity,
In these troubling days of increasing violence and conflict in our communities, society and our world, the ecumenical movement is encouraging all Christians to lift their voices together in prayer for peace and reconciliation, especially in relation to the growing crisis in the Middle East.
I am writing to encourage you, and the congregations where you worship, to join in two ecumenical and international efforts in praying for peace:
First, to respond to an invitation personally and in your communities to commit to "A Season of Prayer for Peace in the Middle East." This call for pray represents an initiative that includes the support of The Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Rev. Bob Edgar, Dr. Sayyid Syeed, Rabbi Michael Lerner - and our own General Minister and President, the Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins - encouraging prayers for peace from different faiths: Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Baha'i, Sikh, and Native American. [For information and resources, including worship resources, prayers, litanies, and hymns from all of these different faith groups, go to http://www.seasonofprayer.org/]
Second, to join with faith communities worldwide on September 21 in the International Day of Prayer for Peace, jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches and the United Nations. [For information and resources on this ecumenical initiative, go to overcomingviolence.org/en/about-the-dov/international-day-of-prayer-for-peace.html.]
In the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and with all best wishes,
Robert