Pray for justice, peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula (The Church Of Scotland).
The Korean War 1950-53 devastated the Korean Peninsula, reinforcing the division between the North and South that had been in place since the end of World War II. Up to 5 million people died and thousands were separated from their families. A ceasefire was signed in July 1953, which is still in place today.
The WCC has highlighted the need for an international campaign for a Peace Treaty to replace this Armistice Agreement, with the view to a peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula.
The WCC is encouraging everyone to pray for the Korean Peninsula on the Sunday before the 15th August every year.
A Prayer for the Korean Peninsula
God of all hopefulness.
Despite dreams of living together as one family, our brothers and sisters in North and South Korea remain separated.
As they thirst for peace and reconciliation in their beautiful land,
we pray that wars and rumours of wars will no more disturb their harmony; that there will be opportunities for each to accompany the other; and for all to write a new history of reconciliation and peace.
Shower them and us all, with your grace and strengthen all, to be leaders in service and offer hope, grace and justice to the world.
Amen.
Lord, you who have defeated death and risen,
In this season where we remember the joys of resurrection,
Thank you for showing the marvels of life this spring through the vitality of green life.
Yes Lord!
This world was created beautifully in God’s eyes, Who also sent his one and only Son, Jesus,
To save those who have sinned against You.
Lord, You have shown us how to live as God’s children, And Your Spirit has led us not only through life,
But also through history. But Lord,
The sorrows of the 70-years ethnic separation,
Still lingers since the time of our North/South division. We have lost the hopes of ‘becoming one with God’, And have sought after earthly goods instead of peace.
Pity us, Lord.
Clear away the pain-filled memories of separation, And also the rusty barbed-wires.
Help the North and the South fulfill a life of harmony and peace,
As the farmer readies himself to till new land and plant new life, Prepare us Lord.
Lord,
Help us first open our firmly closed hearts,
So that we can embrace each other with tenderness.
Let us sow the seeds of tolerance, love and service,
And with God’s blessings,
May that land bear much fruit,
And bless our people with a life full of joy and harmony.
God of life,
Help the churches of the North and the South,
To defeat this cold death-like reality. God of peace,
Help us work together with one united mind,
To fulfill the dreams of unification.
Help us remember the days when the North and the South once were one,
To better live into a world of harmony and peace.
God of life,
In this season of resurrection where we await the signs of spring, Help us see the hopes of new life,
Sprouting in the cold barren land.
God of justice,
In this land where Your glory awaits,
Let the rivers of justice flow,
Bringing forth Your plans for us.
In Jesus name, the one who has defeated death and risen again
Amen
National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK)
Korean Christian Federation (KCF)
Both the NCCK of the South and the KCF of the North worked together to prepare this Joint Easter Community Prayer.
