WCC and MECC in a Global Online Prayer for Peace in the Region
Uniting and Standing Together in a One Common Human Journey to Achieve Justice and Reconciliation
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
In light of the painful war taking place in the Middle East and its serious humanitarian and social repercussions, and with the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine and Jordan, the World Council of Churches (WCC), in cooperation with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), organized a global online Prayer for peace in the region, on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
Attendees were the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay; the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Professor Dr. Michel Abs; colleagues from both Councils; activists in the Ecumenical Movement; Church and Spiritual Leaders from various Church Families; as well as believers from around the world.
During the encounter, participants lit candles from their respective locations and raised Prayers with hearts full of hope for peace, truth and justice in the Middle East and the world. The meeting also included reflections, readings, Psalms, and hymns from different Church Traditions. A text from the Gospel was also read by Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand, Lebanon.
The opening blessing was given by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, who also prayed during the meeting for the Holy Land, its protection from disasters and wars, and for God’s mercy.
An opening address was delivered by the MECC Secretary General of Professor Dr. Michel Abs, in which he noted that it is not new for the Ecumenical Movement to express solidarity through Prayers for the Middle East. He said: “For more than a century, this movement has promoted unity, cooperation, and understanding among churches,” he said. “The World Council of Churches now calls on people of faith and good will to recognize what leads to peace.”
For his part, Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Moderator of the WCC Central Committee, delivered a video message, emphasizing the importance of this Prayer, especially as “we believe that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, will hear us. We will always struggle for the dignity that every human being deserves.” He added “Everyone will live in dignity. Life will overcome death. That is what we trust in. That is what we pray for today.”
In his word, the WCC General Secretary Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay, expressed his gratitude for those gathered, and for the Prayers that expressed lament, peace, comfort, and hope. He stressed that war is incompatible with God’s will and highlighted the need to work for justice and mercy.
The Prayer concluded with a word delivered by the MECC Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs, who thanked all organizers and participants, emphasizing the importance of continuing Prayer and common witness, and calling on everyone to be messengers of peace and ambassadors of reconciliation and justice.
The closing blessing was delivered by Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department.
