On 13 August, churches across the world are invited to show solidarity with Korean churches by joining a "Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula."
The theme for the prayer is based on Romans 14:19: "Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding." The day of prayer occurs two days before Liberation Day in Korea (15 August), during which people celebrate Korea's liberation from Japanese colonization.
The joint prayer was prepared by the Korean Christian Federation (KCF) from North Korea and the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) from South Korea.
In a letter of invitation to member churches, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit and World Communion of Reformed Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Chris Ferguson invited parishes and individuals across the world to pray for the reconciliation and healing of the divided Korean Peninsula.
The World Council of Churches is one of the ecumenical partners supported by the United Methodist Church's Interdenominational Cooperation Fund apportionment.
"The prayer is an important part of our growing movement to overcome the antagonism that divides the Korean Peninsula and continue to open interaction between communities, churches and people," the letter reads. "We believe churches across the world can, through prayer, help foster an environment in which peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula can flourish."
World Council of Churches website
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund enables United Methodists to share a presence and a voice in the activities of several national and worldwide ecumenical organizations. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund apportionment at 100 percent.
