As we look towards the Feast of the Nativity, the NCCA prays for a just peace for the many people of the world for whom this coming season will hold little joy or hope. May God's love and comfort surround all those who are burdened by pain and suffering.

There are many nations that we have been including in our prayers on a regular basis over the past year; Myanmar, Palestine and Israel, Sudan, Ukraine, Armenia are among the many. Now, as Advent has begun and Pope Francis shares his message of Peace, the NCCA joins with our Christian family in praying for just peace, compassion, and resolution to war and violence. May the Holy Spirit breathe afresh on those caught in violence and conflict.

We share the prayer below:

Pope Francis has offered a prayer for Peace 

The Vatican - Pope Francis Offers Prayer for Peace Amid Middle East Tensions | The Vatican - NRC Online  1 December , 2024

"The quest for peace is the responsibility not of a few, but of all. If habituation and indifference to the horrors of war prevail, the whole, entire human family is defeated." Pope Francis

The following are further examples of prayers and statements of solidarity that have been offered by our Christian networks

World Council of Churches (WCC)

 WCC demands end to violence in Sudan, urges support for churches | World Council of Churches | 25 November 2024

In a statement, the World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive Committee denounced the continued fighting in Sudan, and urged solidarity and assistance to the people and churches. 

WCC - Advent celebration inspires following God’s vision for the world’ | World Council of Churches News | 3 Dec 2024

Guided by the theme “See the Signs,” staff of the World Council of Churches and its partner organizations from the Ecumenical Centre gathered for an Advent celebration in St Hippolyte Roman Catholic Church in Geneva on 2 December. 

Christian Conference of Asia (CCA)

Christian Conference of Asia -  International conference calls for global action to address worsening humanitarian crisis and the prospects for peace with justice in Myanmar | 4 Dec 2024 

Christian media

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference 2024-25 Social Justice Statement: Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World

Australian Catholics - We pray for all those who work for justice and peace.  Second Sunday of Advent | 3 December 2024

Global Ministries - Pray for Armenia and Lebanon | Global Ministries | 3 November 2024 

Catholic World - As Aleppo’s Christians face new ordeal, Church leaders call for courage and faith | Catholic World Report | 2 December 2024 

Vatican News - Pope Francis Appeals for Syria and Lebanon in Global Prayer Campaign | Vatican News | 3 December 2024

Cath News - Pursuit of peace not the responsibility of a few but of all: Pope 

Reflecting on the upcoming Christmas season, Pope Francis yesterday warned that if “desensitisation and indifference to the horrors of war prevail, all of humanity is defeated”.   Source: Vatican News.