WCC staff and partners pray for children in Holy Land during World Week for Peace

On 22 September, a special service was held at the Ecumenical Centre for the World Council of Churches (WCC) to mark the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel. The gathering included WCC staff, partners, and visitors, with prayers led by Yusef Daher, coordinator of the WCC Jerusalem Liaison Office, and other members of the office. The theme for the week was drawn from Psalm 127:3: “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord.”

Participants observed moments of silence and intercessory prayers, focusing on children worldwide and specifically those in the Holy Land and the Middle East living in areas of war. The prayers acknowledged the trauma experienced by children who have been orphaned and those who witnessed the death of their parents. The service also included specific intercession for Palestinians held in prisons and subjected to suffering, as stated in the prayers offered.

Yusef Daher reflected on the limitations of the church in the face of the overwhelming situation affecting children. He noted that prayer is the primary action available to the church without political intimidation by any group. Daher expressed that while the church wishes to do more, it often feels helpless in what he described as a lawless world. He appreciated the WCC’s designation of morning services for the World Week for Peace, focusing on children as a way to seek God’s attention.

The WCC’s Ecumenical Prayer Cycle also directed global fellowship to pray with and for the people and churches of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay during this week. Additionally, the prayers observed the ongoing Season of Creation, which carries the theme “Immersion in Living Water.”

The focus on children in conflict zones highlights the moral imperative to care for the most vulnerable, echoing the biblical call to protect the young and seek peace among neighbors. As Psalm 122:6 urges, there is a desire for the peace of Jerusalem, extending to the well-being of all who dwell there. The church’s witness in such times is marked by humility and a reliance on divine mercy rather than political power, aligning with the counsel in Romans 12:18 to live at peace with everyone as far as possible.

The service underscores the role of public witness in advocating for justice and mercy, particularly for those enduring the consequences of war. By centering the prayers on children, the WCC emphasizes the long-term human cost of conflict and the need for a future where heritage is preserved rather than destroyed. This approach reflects a sober commitment to accountability and the care of victims, recognizing that peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice and compassion.

The global nature of the WCC’s prayer initiatives connects the Holy Land to the broader Christian world, fostering solidarity across continents. The inclusion of South American churches in the prayer cycle illustrates the interconnectedness of the global body of Christ. Through these prayers, the church affirms its responsibility to stand with those in suffering, seeking God’s attention to the plight of children and the broader quest for peace in the region.

Source: Read the original report