WCC NEWS: “We are here and we care:” Young ecumenical leaders share prayers for peace

Young people across the global ecumenical movement are sharing prayers of solidarity in response to escalating violence and suffering in the Middle East and other regions affected by conflict. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 12 March 2026 Prepared by the Communications Working Group and Theology & Spiritual Life Working group of the Young People in the Ecumenical Movement, the collective prayers are offered “in humility and love,” holding in prayer not only the Middle East but also communities around the world experiencing war, violence, and uncertainty. “As we are in the Lenten season, we are lamenting the situation unfolding in the Middle East. In solidarity and prayer with our brothers and sisters there, especially in Iran, we cry out with agony and shout “Hosanna,” praying that God will save us and protect those who are suffering because of the war,” said Young People in the Ecumenical Movement moderator Karen Erina Puimera, from the Protestant Church in Western Indonesia. Puimera further added that “the complexity of the war does not lead us to tolerate hatred or injustice toward one another. As young people, we also cry with the people in Iran and other countries in the Middle East who are affected by this conflict.” Puimera said young people believe that the God of love and justice guides us through the Holy Spirit, helping us discern actions that do not represent God’s love in this world. “Through the unity of prayer and solidarity, God reminds us not to stand on the side of unrighteousness and injustice. Instead, we are called to strive for justice, freedom from exploitation, and peace as gifts from God that we are all responsible to protect and nurture,” she said. The prayers were shared through the Ecumenical Youth Network, where young people from different regions are exchanging prayers, reflections, and messages of hope. The initiative reflects a growing wave of spiritual solidarity among young Christians calling their communities to join them in prayer for peace, justice, and reconciliation. The youth wanted to say, “We are here and we care,” describing the effort as a way for young people to express compassion and stand with those experiencing suffering and fear. Abigayle Bolado, Youth Engagement programme executive, expressed that the Young People in the Ecumenical Movement, through their Ecumenical Youth Network, have joined together in global collective prayer for the ongoing war and conflicts in the Middle East and around the world. “Today, many people are living in fear, destruction, and chaos. Innocent lives, especially those of children and young people are the most vulnerable. Ongoing war and conflicts rob the present and future not only of those living in affected countries but also of many others whose lives are indirectly impacted as their economies suffer and instability spreads,” she said. Bolado added that “it is heartbreaking to imagine how vast resources are being used. Billions of dollars are spent on missiles, nuclear weapons, and machines designed to kill. Yet these same resources could instead be used to feed the hungry, care for the suffering, improve education and health, and restore hope to communities in need.” Even across continents and time zones, participants say they remain united in faith and concern for those affected by conflict. Through shared prayers and messages of encouragement, they seek to remind communities facing violence that they are not alone. "Our Lord and God Jesus Christ commanded us: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matt. 7:7). Churches do not have divisions or significant economic resources, and our ability to influence politics is extremely limited. But as Christians, we always have the opportunity to turn to God with fervent prayer, and I believe that He will hear it,” reflected Danil Arakelian, who is part of the Theology & Spiritual Life Youth Working Group. Arakelian added that “today, it is the duty of every believer to pray for peace, for the salvation of people, and for all those who today take up arms against one another, wherever that may be. We are called to be the ‘light of the world’ (Matt. 5:14), an island of stability and solidarity, an example of friendship, impartiality, and love for all nations. This is precisely what this initiative aims to highlight.” Ecumenical youth are also inviting young people within their churches and communities to offer their own prayers for peace and unity, strengthening a worldwide network of prayer and accompaniment. Through these shared prayers, young people in the ecumenical movement are giving voice to their hope for justice, healing, and reconciliation, believing that the future of our world should be built not on weapons and destruction, but on dignity, solidarity, and care for all humanity.   Read the shared prayers from the different regions See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, March 16 and Sunday, March 22, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, March 16, 2026 - That people take seriously God's call to be good stewards of creation.
• Tuesday, March 17, 2026 - That fathers and mothers in every American household would exercise godliness.
• Wednesday, March 18, 2026 - That students would have a passion for God.
• Thursday, March 19, 2026 - That nations work to secure and enhance international peace.
• Friday, March 20, 2026 - That we choose to show generosity and compassion to the poor and the needy.
• Saturday, March 21, 2026 - That we work together to protect the natural environment that's been entrusted to our care.
• Sunday, March 22, 2026 - That we are thankful for the opportunities and responsibilities we've been given.

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, March 8, 2026

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service ...: During this season of Lent, we're moving through a sermon series entitled “Preparing for Easter.” In these five services, we're cons...

Looking into the lectionary - A sermon for aging Christians

Psalm 130 Fifth Sunday in Lent March 22, 2026 Psalm 130 When I retired from the Air Force, I had one more year of seminary and no clear direction about what would come next. I was unsettled. Where was God leading me? A pastor friend suggested this liminal space could be therapeutic — a time to focus and listen. Psalm 130 is written by a psalmist experiencing a similar liminal space. Although we don’t know the particulars of the situation, we can sense the distress from the opening verse: “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.” In biblical times, “the depths” often referred to the chaotic depths of the sea, a place where it was believed evil reigned. The psalmist is in deep distress, perhaps even fearing death, and cries out for God’s help and forgiveness. Repetition and emphasis Psalm 130’s plea for help is followed by words of gratitude and thanksgiving. The writer acknowledges God’s power to forgive, which leads to hope (vv. 3–4). The focus then shifts to patience. The psalmist trusts that the Lord is present and will eventually respond (v. 5). Finally, the psalmist speaks to all of Israel, reminding the people that redemption comes through God’s steadfast love. Psalm 130 employs parallelism and repetition for emphasis. The word “wait” appears three times in verses 5–6. It is not just the psalmist’s intellectual self that waits for the Lord’s response. Rather, it is the writer’s very soul that waits. Another example appears in the repeated phrase, “more than those who watch for the morning” (vv. 5–6). Commentators suggest this refers to the Levites assigned to the Temple’s nightly watch. Their task was to signal the first light of dawn — the moment when the daily Temple sacrifice could begin. Dawn meant the long-awaited end of their night shift and the assurance of God’s blessing through the sacrifice. ...  Thank you to this week's writer, Jane Holtzclaw Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for March 15, 2026? You can find them here. Order of worship — March 22, 2026 by Jane Holtzclaw  Austin Seminary student James Talarico wins Democratic U.S. Senate primary by Harriet Riley A PC(USA) statement on the escalating war with Iran by the Office of Public Witness A sermon for elderly Christians in troubled times by Brenda Moten IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... The 227th General Assembly will feature 10 committees Committees will meet online June 22-24 before commissioners and advisory delegates head to Milwaukee, Wisconsin — Presbyterian News Service  Love Letters to God Andrew Taylor-Troutman praises "Love Letters to God' as a raw, brave epistolary friendship that wrestles honestly with suffering, faith, and a love strong enough to endure doubt. McCormick Theological Seminary announces $1 million gift establishing an endowed chair The Mitzi Gebhard Henderson Endowed Chair is ‘a living tribute to Presbyterian lay leader.’ — McCormick Theological Seminary Middle, high school students invited to ‘Wholly Shift!’ at 2026 Hastings Youth Conference Hastings College and the ASPIRE program are inviting students to an inclusive space where young people can explore their faith, build lasting connections and recognize their value. Why the ‘Book of Confessions’ still matters Stated clerk and pastor Christian Boyd argues that reducing the "Book of Confessions" risks unmooring Presbyterian formation from its theological foundations. A homecoming Doug McMahon reflects on how a bone marrow transplant teaches us that we humans are bound together, each needing the other, even at a cellular level. A pastor’s guide to online outrage A church quoted Bad Bunny. The comments turned combative. What followed led Trip Porch to think about Jesus and Nicodemus … and what faithful engagement looks like in the digital age. A new four-session Fresh Outlook Bible Studies In a moment when empathy is often misunderstood — and sometimes dismissed as weakness — “On the Road to Empathy” invites churches to return to Scripture and rediscover empathy as a deeply Christian practice.

World Evangelical Alliance - Urgent Call to Prayer for the Middle East

Today, the headlines are no longer hypothetical. On February 28, a military offensive involving coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran began; since then, sustained attacks with missile and drone launches have continued across the broader Middle East, bringing fear and instability to the region. What began as a targeted action has now spread into a wider regional crisis, bringing fear, instability, and deep uncertainty to millions. It has now been one week since the conflict began, with no end in sight. Salim J. Munayer, Regional Coordinator of the Peace & Reconciliation Network (MENA), reminds us: “War affects real people made in the image of God. Christians must not let fear, nationalism, or politics shape their faith. Above all, we must not lose compassion and must pursue peace even in times of conflict.” Join us in Prayer Topic: Urgent Prayer Meeting For The MENA Region. Time: Mar 7, 2026 03:30 PM Asia/Hebron Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84079432420 Meeting ID: 840 79432420 The World Evangelical Alliance calls our global constituency to urgent prayer. This is not only a political or military moment—it is a deeply spiritual one. We grieve the lives that will be lost, the families that will suffer, and the communities that will be shaken. We ask God to be near to the brokenhearted and to uphold those living under the shadow of conflict. We also want to reassure you that the WEA has church leaders actively serving on the ground in these regions. Praise God, our team has checked in with our church leader from this area, and they are safe, continuing important relief efforts. A Word from Jack Sara, Middle East and North Africa Alliance: "We ask you to pray—not only for the Holy Land, but for the entire region. Pray for restraint. Pray for wisdom among leaders. Pray for protection over civilians. Pray for the Church to be a faithful witness of Christ’s peace in the midst of turmoil. As Psalm 46:1 reminds us, ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.’" We invite you to stand with the Church in the Middle East and pray specifically for: Peace in the region and restraint that would preserve life and protect the innocent Comfort for families affected by violence and for all who are living in fear Wisdom for leaders and decision-makers in every nation involved Protection over civilians, aid workers, and local churches Strength and courage for believers, that they would remain steadfast and reflect Christ’s hope An open door for the Gospel, trusting that only the Good News of Jesus Christ can truly transform hearts and bring lasting change We recognize that political solutions alone cannot heal the deep wounds of conflict. As Botrus Mansour—Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance and a Palestinian, Nazareth‑born Arab Christian who has worked for decades to bring Christians together across the Middle East—reminds us, “You might know how you start a war but never know how it ends… Any linkage of this war to eschatology is highly problematic and makes evangelicals look detached.” It is only the Gospel that changes hearts and produces long‑term peace. Even as nations shake, God remains sovereign and attentive to prayer. As Scripture encourages us: "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." – 2 Thessalonians 3:16 With gratitude, World Evangelical Alliance P.S. As the situation unfolds, humanitarian and relief needs are expected to increase across the region. The WEA is already in close contact with several of our local partners who are preparing to respond on the ground. If you feel led to give, your support will help bring practical aid, comfort, and hope to those affected. Thank you for standing with us in both prayer and action. Thank you for your support The World Evangelical Alliance retains discretion over how donations are allocated to ensure they are used where they can have the greatest impact. Over two billion Christians in the world today are represented by three world church bodies. The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is one of those, serving more than 650 million evangelicals belonging to churches that are part of 163 national Evangelical Alliances in 9 regions. Launched in London in 1846, the WEA unites evangelicals across denominations for prayer, evangelism, mission, theological education, religious freedom, human rights advocacy, relief, and engagement in a wide range of social issues. It speaks with one voice to United Nations, governments, and media in public or through behind-the-scenes diplomacy on issues of common concern to the Church. For more information, visit worldea.org WEA has been a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability since 1980. WEA is audited annually by an independent public accounting firm. WEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In the United States, your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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