The Lutheran World Federation joins the call by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar for a worldwide prayer on 14 May
LWF President Archbishop Panti Filibus Musa and General Secretary Rev. Dr Martin Junge responded to the call by Pope Francis of the Catholic Church and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar [of the Islamic faith] for believers of all religions to unite in prayer on 14 May of this year.
“Our earth is experiencing a great peril that threatens the lives of millions of people around the world due to the ever-growing spread of the Covid-19 pandemic,” states the letter of appeal sent to all religious leaders around the world by the Higher Committee for the Implementation of the Document on Human Fraternity.
The letter that was sent out expressed an appeal to all believers to ask God “to take away this pandemic from us and from the whole world, to save us all from this calamity, to inspire scientists to find a cure that could overcome this disease, and to save the whole world from the economic, social and humanitarian consequences caused by this serious pandemic.”
The Higher Committee for the Implementation of the Document on Human Fraternity was established in February 2019, at a conference dedicated to human fraternity in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, at which the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, and the Grand Imam of the Muslims, Dr Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, signed a joint document on the committee’s establishment. The committee comprises leaders and theologians of various faiths, and it seeks to realise the goals of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence set out in the joint document.
The President and General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation welcomed the call to prayer, which “will unite people from different faiths for the good of humanity,” said LWF President Musa and General Secretary Junge.
“The world needs unity and solidarity that reaches across national borders and responds to the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to humble prayer to God and intercession, our faith inspires us to continue to support one another, those working in healthcare and the scientists who tirelessly seek medical solutions.”
The Lutheran World Federation’s intercessory prayer in the time of Covid-19 (in various languages)
The LWF donation campaign in connection with Covid-19 (in English)
The LWF’s position in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic (in English)
Photo: Claudia van Zyl on Unsplash