Peacemaking Sunday
Resources available!
Peacemaking Sunday is observed by Christians each year on the nearest Sunday to the United Nations International Day of Peace on 21 September. The Church of Scotland, Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and United Reformed Church provide material each year for a service, including hymns, prayers and reflections.
When I needed a neighbour: refugees and sanctuary – Peacemaking Sunday, 18 September 2016
The theme for this year’s resources is solidarity with refugees. On 19 September the United Nations holds a summit on refugees and migrants, and on 20 September President Obama will host a meeting of world leaders on the global refugee crisis. The focus of these prayers for Peacemaking Sunday is for the success of these meetings and for our churches to continue to express concern for and act in solidarity with refugees.
You can also sign the #WithRefugees petition to show your solidarity and support for international action.
Download Resources
Peacemaking Sunday 2016 When I needed a neighbour (Word doc version)
Peacemaking Sunday 2016 – When I needed a neighbour (PDF version)
Christians are being encouraged to use this prayer for the world on 18 September:
Almighty God, inspire the leaders of the nations of the world and those with authority with love and wisdom, and open our hearts and hands to welcome the stranger, love our enemies and to do to others what we want them to do to us.
May your Holy Spirit reign in the hearts of those who have the power to end strife and conflict and may your presence be with those who seek to serve those in desperate need. We ask you to bless the international summits taking place in New York on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 September.
Be in the conversation and the conferencing and in all things remind the mighty and powerful rulers of the desperate situation facing some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people on earth.
We pray especially for the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the President of the United States Barak Obama as they seek to work for diplomacy, peace and the common good of all humankind.
In the name of Christ, who declared “Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be known as children of God”, Amen.
