March 21, 2003

The Church of England has published a range of prayers suitable for use in churches and in the wider community following military operations in Iraq.

The Invitation to Prayer website, www.invitationtoprayer.org, exists to support both individual prayer and collective worship. Special prayers for use in time of war have been added to the site today. There are resources for clergy and laity, for use individually and collectively, and for use at different times of day. These may form the basis for a short act of prayer in church or at home, at a regular time each day or week, at the start or conclusion of a silent vigil, or whenever people meet together to pray.

Many people feel a sense of uncertainty and concern in time of war. The site includes prayers for peace and justice, for the Armed Forces, for the victims of war, for the leaders of the nations, for friends and loved ones, for the dead and for those who mourn.

Anglican Communion News Service