The World Communion of Reformed Churches joins with the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity, World Council of Churches, ecumenical partners, and religious leaders to call for a day of prayer on Thursday, 14 May.
“Our world is facing a great danger that threatens the lives of millions of people around the world due to the growing spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic,” states the invitation letter from the Higher Committee. “While we reaffirm the role of medicine and scientific research in fighting this pandemic, we should not forget to seek refuge in God, the All-Creator as we face such severe crisis.”
“The toll on human life has been devastating and heartbreaking,” said Chris Ferguson, WCRC general secretary. “The situation has revealed for all to see and force us to acknowledge the death-dealing conditions of inequality, of racial, gender, social, economic, and ecological injustice that pre-existed COVID-19 and which the pandemic has made fatally worse. A health crisis in its own right, the pandemic now forces us to see the scandalous world described in the Accra Confession and to see that God is leading us to join in transforming the world.”
“And yet, by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart!” said Ferguson. “We feel as a family that we are not alone. We live in God’s creation. We have been so thankful for the assurances of prayer and support that have been so freely circulating among and between our WCRC family.”
“Therefore, we call on all peoples around the world to observe fast and pray to God Almighty and make devout supplications to [God] to end this pandemic,” states the call to prayer. “Each one from wherever they are and according to the teachings of their religion, faith, or sect, should implore God and entreat [God] to lift this pandemic off us and the entire world, to rescue us all from this adversity, to inspire scientists to find a cure that can turn back this disease, to save the whole world from the health, economic, and human repercussions of this serious pandemic.”
The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity is an interfaith organization inspired by the Document on Human Fraternity (2019) and is dedicated to sharing its message of mutual understanding and peace.