 Week
of Prayer for World PeaceAbout the Week The suggestion of an annual week of prayer for the peace of the world came from the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship in 1973. Three members of the Fellowship, Jack Jenner, Gordon Wilson and Sidney Hinkes went to Lambeth Palace to discuss the idea with the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Michael Ramsey, who expressed his support. The Week was inaugurated on 19th October 1974 in Westminster Abbey at a service at which the sermon was preached by the Archbishop. Under the leadership of Dr.
Edward Carpenter, later Dean of Westminster, the observance became an
inter-faith project. He strongly believed that "prayer
for world peace has to be offered by the world's faiths".
Each year, the committee produces a leaflet of
prayers for peace drawn
from the major religious traditions of the world.
STOP PRESS In view of the delay in postal deliveries
arising from the postal workers dispute, we are now making available
files of the leaflet. These are not as good quality as the
printed version and the files are rather large, but we hope it
helps. They can be downloaded here:
At the present time, the committee and the sponsoring body include adherents of the Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Zoroastrian religions, and prayers and readings from all these faiths are included in the prayer leaflet for the year. At the annual service, members of all the faiths are invited to take part and contribute from their own faith resources. In recognition of the devoted labours of the late Canon Gordon Wilson as organising secretary of the Week over many years, the Gordon Wilson Peace Awards have been set up. The money for the awards is provided by anonymous donors, and given in support of some peace activity approved by the committee. During the annual service in 2001 an award was presented to the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone for its contribution to peace and reconciliation in that country. Participation in the work of the Week of Prayer for World Peace is welcomed from peace groups and faith communities, by providing material for the prayer leaflet, by nominating people to serve on the committee or as sponsors, by taking part in the annual service and/or organising a local observance. Sidney Hinkes We are sad to report that Sidney Hinkes, who served for many
years as Secretary to the Week of Prayer for World Peace, died on
8 February 2006. Read
an obituary by Clive Barrett written for The Guardian.
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