WCC NEWS: National Prayer Day in South Africa focuses on building a reconciled society

A National Prayer Day for Healing and Reconciliation was held 22 June at Grace Bible Church in Soweto under the theme “Confronting the Past: Building a Reconciled Society for Restoration and Dignity.” 22 June 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa: Church leaders from a wide range of different traditions gather for a moment of Moment of Commitment for Healing and Reconciliation Work, during a National Prayer Day for Healing and Reconciliation observed in 2025 through an Ecumenical service at Grace Bible Church, Soweto, organised by the South African Council of Churches. The service is attended by members of the WCC Central Committee taking place 18-24 June 2025 in Johannesburg. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 23 June 2025 Hosted by the South African Council of Churches, the service was attended by the World Council of Churches (WCC) leadership, who are also present in South Africa for the WCC central committee meeting in Johannesburg convening from 18-24 June. The National Prayer Day for Healing and Reconciliation drew 4,000 of people from churches across South Africa.  Rev. Mzwandile Molo, general secretary of the South African Council of Churches, opened the gathering by reflecting that people of faith are invited by God to new possibilities. “This metatonia, this radical transformation of heart, mind, and life, cannot be built on lies but on truth and love,” he said. “It is this truth that must guide our journey to authentic healing and reconciliation.”  Overseer Gege Sono from the Grace Bible Church welcomed people to feel relaxed in the house of God. “I know we come from different congregations, different churches and so on,” she said. “I know that we have people from different countries. I believe the presence of the Lord is in this house." Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, president of the South African Council of Churches gives the benediction at the conclusion of a National Prayer Day for Healing and Reconciliation observed in 2025 through an Ecumenical service at Grace Bible Church, Soweto, organised by the South African Council of Churches on the theme ”Confronting the Past: Building a Reconciled Society for Restoration and Dignity”. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC With expressive music, candles lit by children, and messages about what reconciliation really means, the service also featured a homily from Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, president of the South African Council of Churches.  The homily, entitled “From Family Wrangling to Family Restoration: The Church's Role in Breaking Cycles of Accusation,” described how people have perfected the art of mutual accusation—while forgetting the practice of listening.  “During apartheid, Black South Africans lived in exile within their own land,” he said. “Black families were separated from their ancestral lands, their languages marginalized, their cultures suppressed.” He reflected how, currently for many reasons, white and “coloured” South Africans are now experiencing the anxiety of displacement. “Stop the blame game,” he said. “Your liberation is tied to your neighbour's liberation.” Your welfare is connected to your enemy's welfare, he added. "You are family, whether you like it or not,” he said. “The remedy for exile is not to create new exiles, but to build a city—a society—where no one need fear displacement, where everyone can be at home.” The church has a special role in creating this society, reflected Sipuka. “We are called to be the prophetic voice that speaks truth to power, but also to facilitate reconciliation where truth can be spoken without destruction, where grievances can be aired without retaliation, where enemies can discover they are family,” he said. “Our task is to model what reconciliation looks like when it moves beyond mere coexistence to genuine transformation.” 22 June 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa: WCC central committee moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm (left) and WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay (right), delivering greetings from the World Council of Churches during a National Prayer Day for Healing and Reconciliation observed in 2025 through an Ecumenical service at Grace Bible Church, Soweto, organised by the South African Council of Churches on the theme ”Confronting the Past: Building a Reconciled Society for Restoration and Dignity”.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Moderator of the WCC central committee Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, and WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay shared messages.  Bedford-Strohm expressed joy at the moment of prayer and movement. “I feel that spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood in this room—and the best thing is, I can feel it moving!” he said. “It’s just wonderful to see the spirit moving in all its fulness, and that is why it’s so wonderful to be here.” He noted that the WCC governing body has heard about the many struggles in South Africa—struggles that are also global. “South Africa also needs the solidarity of the world,” he said. "We are praying for you all over the world." Pillay expressed joy at the time of powerful prayer. “Some tell us that prayer is a powerful experience, that when people of God pray together, the heavens open and the earth moves,” he said. “Prayer is so powerful, when we come together because prayer helps us to receive the power to forgive. Prayer helps us to receive the power to reconcile.” Lulama Ntuta, first vice president of the South African Council of Churches, thanked all who planned and attended the service, both in-person and online. “Thank you to the congregation, for you being here, for all those who have joined us virtually, thank you for your commitment to prayer,” she said.  As the congregation took their leave, they prayed: “Go with us now as we return to our communities. Help us to be living examples of Your love and reconciliation. Give us the courage to side with the truth, to love and heal wounds of racial divisions.” Congregants pray during a National Prayer Day for Healing and Reconciliation observed in 2025 through an Ecumenical service at Grace Bible Church, Soweto, organised by the South African Council of Churches on the theme ”Confronting the Past: Building a Reconciled Society for Restoration and Dignity”. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Homily by Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, SACC President   Photos from the 2025 National Prayer Day for Healing and Reconciliation   WCC Central Committee, June 2025   WCC central committee moderator: “we will continue our pilgrimage, praying and doing justice” (WCC news release, 18 June 2025)   WCC general secretary reflects on daring to hope amid struggle (WCC news release, 18 June 2025)   Welcomed by African churches, WCC central committee opens (WCC news release, 19 June 2025)   South African churches sound Kairos call for global justice and healing (WCC news release, 19 June 2025)   Daily livestream sessions   Photos: WCC Central Committee 2025 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland