During the action week, peace prayers will be read aloud at local sites of suffering – near settlements, at demolished homes, at checkpoints, in refugee camps, and in parishes and schools in the West Bank and Gaza. Churches on every continent will also make use of these prayers.

Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian territory, which are illegal under international law, are a special focus this year.

American Baptists are invited to join individuals and churches around the world in sending their own prayers for peace to Bethlehem for this "World Week", an invitation that is open to churches well beyond the membership of ABCUSA, or even the WCC.

Said American Baptist General Secretary A. Roy Medley said, “Action and prayers for peace are an important part of our Christian calling. I hope that many ABC churches will take part with the world-wide church in this World Week of Action for Peace in Israel-Palestine.”

Parishes and organizations in some 40 countries responded during last year’s action week.

Participating countries report that joint actions during World Week often strengthen or spawn individual church actions for Israel-Palestine peace during the rest of the year.

An ecumenical service sponsored by the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem has anchored World Week each of its four years. This year the East Jerusalem event will take place on Sunday, June 7. A prayer from the Jerusalem church leaders is available to nearly 350 WCC member churches in more than 100 countries.

For more information, visit www.oikoumene.org/en/events-sections/wwppi.html. Portions of this release draws on content from the World Council of Churches Media Office; used with permission.