Peacemaking is at the heart of the Gospel. Jewish and early church concepts of peace embraced not only conflict resolution but also justice, welcoming community, and wholeness. This larger vision gives energy and spirit to the efforts of millions around the world to “build a culture of peace and nonviolence,” in the words of an appeal signed by every living Nobel peace laureate that sparked the Decade for Peace.

Prayer is central to peacemaking. We are capable of far more when we place our efforts in the hands of the One who is Peace, who has called us to be peace makers, and who walks with us on the Path of Shalom. The International Day of Peace, September 21, was established in 1981 by the United Nations and has been observed as a world Day of Prayer since 2004 by growing numbers of congregations around the world. Lutheran Peace Fellowship leaders wrote worship resources for that first Day of Prayer in 2004, which are adapted for our use today.

Visit LutheranPeace.org for more information.