International Day of Prayer for Peace

The International Day of Prayer for Peace
Wednesday 21st September

Here in Halmer End we are sharing in the International Day of Prayer for Peace. The congregation and most of the people who meet in various groups during the week are being asked to observe 1 minute of silence at 12 noon on Wednesday 21st September to be part of a wave of peace around the world. We invite you to share with us wherever you are at that time.

In 1981 the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution 36/67 declaring an International Day of Peace. In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a new resolution 55/282 declaring 21 September of each year as the International Day of Peace. The intention of the resolution is to have the entire world observe a day of peace and nonviolence.

The UN International Day of Peace on 21 September takes place, each year, in parallel with the International Day of Prayer for Peace (IDPP). The UN day is a day on which armed conflict is meant to be stilled, a day for combatants to observe cease-fires, a day on which all people are invited to commit or reaffirm their commitment to non-violence and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Each year on 21 September the World Council of Churches (WCC) calls churches and parishes to observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace. This Day offers an opportunity for church communities in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, their families, communities and societies.

The idea was proposed in 2004 during a meeting between WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and coincides with the UN International Day of Peace.