WCC NEWS: Ash Wednesday Peace Prayer urges end to world’s conflicts

An Ash Wednesday Peace Prayer remembered many of the 115 ongoing armed conflicts around the world. Held at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, the prayer also focused on God continuing to create new life from the ashes of injustice. Ash Wednesday prayer service at the Chapel of the Ecumenical centre in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 22 February 2023 Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, offered a reflection. “For Western Christianity, today is the first day of Lent,” said Burghardt. “We enter into this Lent with many conflicts going on around the world, from Tigray to Ukraine; with politicians who are also working on the change of attitude and change of mind by not putting Christ, but fear, narrow-mindedness and exclusion at the center.” Today, we pray for peace, noted Burghardt. “The fact that there seems to be lack of it in today’s world, should make us ever more eager to strive for it, both in our prayers and in our deeds,” she said. “Professional peace builders often struggle with the feeling that things are not moving on as fast as they wish, or even worse: their efforts don’t seem to lead anywhere.” We need to be sustained by hope, added Burghardt. “History knows multiple examples of how peace has been restored between former enemies, how they have beaten their swords into plowshares,” she said. Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation. Ash Wednesday prayer service at the Chapel of the Ecumenical centre in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC Rev. Dr Mikie Roberts, WCC programme executive for Spiritual Life, observed that Ash Wednesday is a most meaningful time to pray for peace as we remember the many places of conflict in today’s world. “It was deeply moving to hear prayers being said in the language of the region being prayed for,” he said. “This was a tangible demonstration of our Christian ecumenical solidarity.” Eva Abel, from the Republic of Kenya (Anglican Church of Kenya), a student at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey joined in the prayer. She reflected: “Ash Wednesday always reminds me of my last day in life, because it’s during Ash Wednesday and the day that you die that you get the sign of the cross.” Photo gallery Ash Wednesday prayer service at the Chapel of the Ecumenical centre in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 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 352 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 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland