Peacemaking through prayer and worship
The Peacemaking Program offers prayers and other liturgical elements for days and seasons of the Christian year as well as days with particular significance for peace and justice concerns.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Jan. 17) │ Hiroshima Day (Aug. 6) │International Day of Peace (Sept. 21)│ World Communion Sunday │United Nations Day (Oct. 24) │Human Rights Day (Dec. 10)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day — January 17
Use these resources to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day and to celebrate his life and work.
- Martin Luther Jr. King Day liturgy
- A Litany on the Tragedy of Gun Violence
- Excerpts from the 13th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Presbyterian Center, 2007
- Journeying Toward the Promised Land
- Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Reflections
Hiroshima Day — August 6
- Prayers for Hiroshima/Nagaski Observance
- A Reflection
- Peace Cranes
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
- Learn about Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) policy on nuclear weapons.
International Day of Peace — September 21
- Ideas for celebrating the International Day of Peace
- Participate in A Million Minutes for Peace
- A prayer for the International Day of Peace
- Prayers from the Presbyterian United Nations Office
- International Day of Peace Brochure
- International Day of Peace with a Peace Vigil
- Peace Day is a children’s book that explores the meaning of the International Day of Peace and ways children can work for peace.
- A Litany on the Tragedy of Gun Violence
- God of Mercy, You Have Shown Us – a hymn lamenting gun violence
World Communion Sunday
United Nations Day — October 24
- Prayers for United Nations Day
- O God Who Formed Creation — a hymn for United Nations Day
- Bulletin Insert (2 MB)
- 12 Cents — A UNICEF Children's sermon
Learn more about the ministry of the Presbyterian United Nations Office.
Human Rights Day — December 10
About Human Rights Day
- Human Rights Day 2010 - Human Rights Defenders Who Act to End Discrimination
- Frequently Asked Questions about Human Rights Day
- 2008 marked the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Liturgical Resources
- A Candle Lighting Service for Human Rights Day
- Order of Worship for Human Rights Day
- Children's Sermon
- Life In All Its Fullness: a Reflection
- Sixty Years of Hope: Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Rev. Robert F. Smylie
- Worship materials from the National Religious Campaign to End Torture
Information about Human Rights
- Presbyterian United Nations Office
- Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Human Rights Fact Sheets from the United Nations