'Praying with hope in a troubled World'

In a world rife with division and strife, the Week of Prayer for World Peace (WPWP) provides a wonderful opportunity to join with many others as we remember that peace is not an unattainable dream but a shared responsibility. This year, the annual observance will take place during the week of 15-22 October when we rejoice in the Twin Holy Birthday festival for the Báb (16 October) and Bahá'u'lláh (17 October), providing an opportunity to link WPWP with these significant celebrations.

The Bahá’í approach to praying for world peace is that it is not a passive act, but a dynamic process that involves spiritual devotion, unity, and active engagement in service with others. The Teachings of Bahá'u'lláh offer a blueprint for a world in which the diverse tapestry of humanity is celebrated, where unity prevails over division and where the collective power of prayer and action can help bring about the transformation of society.

The convergence of the Week of Prayer for World Peace with the Twin Holy Day Birthday celebrations this year provides an opportune moment for friends to widen your devotional gatherings to celebrate with others the vision and means for creating a peaceful world that the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh have provided for humanity to achieve. This was conveyed earlier this week in a message sent to Local Spiritual Assemblies and Bahá’í Groups, along with materials shared by the Week of Prayer for World Peace organising committee. The information is provided below.

This year the Week of Prayer for World Peace will be observed between 15th and 22nd October. As the Twin Holy Birthdays fall on two of these days (Birth of the Báb from sunset Sunday 15 October to sunset Monday 16 October; and Birth of Bahá'u'lláh from sunset Monday 16 October to sunset Tuesday 17 October) the Week of Prayer for World Peace may provide your communities with additional opportunities to encourage others to join your holy day celebrations where the vision of Bahá'u'lláh for humanity can be shared and prayers for a united and peaceful world can be offered.

Please find attached a 12-page prayer resource, which has been produced by the UK organising committee with prayers, readings and affirmations from many faiths to use each day. Religious communities and interfaith groups throughout New Zealand celebrate the Week both in their own observances and together with people of different faiths.

The UK organisers write: This year the Committee has decided to distribute the Resource free. We wish to encourage as many people as possible to pray for peace in our troubled world. This year the Prayer Resource is expanded to 12 pages. It includes contributions from children and young people.

The overall theme this year is 'Praying with hope in a troubled World'. Individual day themes include among others: reconciliation, families especially in conflict areas, those in power and peacemakers.

This year a special addition to WPWP is being set up in conjunction with the Iona Community and Alignment: Interfaith Contemplative Practices. There will be a digital 'calendar' for the eight days of the Week. On each of the days a 'window' is prepared and by clicking on it, you can listen to a talk and other items. The talks will be given by leaders from various faith communities. Full details are in the booklet.

Please use the booklet in its digital format or print out those pages you want to use during the Week.

The readings will be posted each day to this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WPWPNZ2014

Information and materials are supplied by the Bahá'í representative on the Week of Prayer for World Peace organising committee, Paddy Payne, weekofprayer@outlook.com