Lutheran churches worldwide are heeding a unified call for peace prayers in Israel and Palestine on 17 October. Initiated by Christian leaders in Jerusalem, the global plea has garnered support from Christians worldwide.
Christians worldwide are praying for peace in Israel and Palestine on 17 October. Photo: LWF/A. Danielsson
A day of prayer and fasting on 17 October
(LWI) - Lutherans across the world are taking up the call to pray for peace in Israel and Palestine on 17 October.
The patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem issued the call for a special day of prayer and fasting for peace on 17 October. A prayer service will be held in Jerusalem “in support of all those who have suffered in this war and of the families reeling from the violence.”
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, has called for prayers for justice and peace.
The LWF invites its member churches to pray for peace in Israel and Palestine, to lament and grieve the lives lost, and to pray for the safety and security of civilians.
In the United States of America, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has joined the call to observe to observe 17 October as a day of fasting and prayer. In Indonesia, the Protestant Christian Batak Church (HKBP) called for prayers for "de-escalation of war, humanitarian aid, peace, and justice." The Church of Norway Presiding Bishop Olav Fykse Tveit has invited its members to pray for peace together with Christians all over the world, and to light a candle for all those affected by the war.
Pope Francis has also called on Catholics worldwide to "join with the Church in the Holy Land and to dedicate Tuesday, 17 October, to prayer and fasting." The World Council of Churches has invited "churches, and people of goodwill to unite in prayers for peace, for aid to those suffering, and for those who have lost loved ones."
