This lent, the LWF invites Lutheran churches worldwide to pray for peace in seven countries and regions worldwide. The hashtag #7weeksforpeace will highlight current emergencies and protracted conflicts and how the LWF responds and supports.
Photo: Samuel Lopes/ Unsplash
Prayers and testimonies from conflict areas around the world
(LWI) - For the seven weeks of lent, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) invites the communion of churches and ecumenical partners to join in prayers for peace. With the Lent campaign "Seven weeks for peace," LWF will offer prayers for seven crisis regions where LWF works. Photos and insights into humanitarian work in each area will supplement the prayers.
The campaign was launched on Ash Wednesday (22 February) with a prayer for peace in Ukraine. The beginning of Lent 2023 also marks the anniversary of the invasion of the Russian Federation in the country. From there, the campaign will move to Tigray and South Sudan, Colombia-Venezuela, Myanmar, Central Africa, the Middle East, and Haiti over the coming weeks.
As we work to support those uprooted and displaced by the violence, let us also intensify our prayers and work for peace, calling on God to touch hearts and minds, bringing reconciliation and healing to our broken world.
Rev. Dr. Anne BURGHARDT, LWF General Secretary
LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt said: “During this season of Lent, let us remember all our sisters and brothers who are suffering as a result of war and conflicts in countries around the world. As we work to support those uprooted and displaced by the violence, let us also intensify our prayers and work for peace, calling on God to touch hearts and minds, bringing reconciliation and healing to our broken world.”
While the war in Ukraine has been at the center of media attention, conflict, and war are ongoing in many other places in the world. Hidden from mainstream media, the security situation declined, or conflicts resumed. In other areas, like Tigray and South Sudan, there is a struggle with upholding recently signed peace agreements. Through this lent, the LWF wants to give insights into the realities of people living in those countries and ways to support them.
