13 August: Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula

The World Council of Churches, the World Communion of Reformed Churches and World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) are calling their member churches to observe, on 13 August, a "Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula."

Each year, Christians are invited to join in a prayer for peace and reunification of the Korean Peninsula. Prepared by the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) and the Korean Christian Federation (KCF), the prayer is traditionally used on the Sunday before 15 August every year.

The 15th of August, celebrated as Liberation Day in both North and South Korea, marks the date in 1945 when Korea won independence from Japanese colonial oppression, yet ironically it also was the day when the peninsula was divided into two countries.

The WCC joins in prayer as part of the "pilgrimage of justice and peace" - a key concept from the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan, Republic of Korea. The assembly adopted an official statement on peace and reunification of the Korean peninsula, pledging to accompany the people of North and South Korea in their "struggle for justice, peace and life".

The theme for this year's prayer is based on Romans 14:19: "Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding."

Churches are encouraged to translate this prayer into their national languages and share it with their congregations.

More information and links here: www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/events/sunday-of-prayer-for-the-peaceful-reunification-of-the-korean-peninsula