Community members walking past an old tank in South Sudan
Pope Francis travelled with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland to South Sudan. During the visit from 3 to 5 February 2023 the Church leaders called for an end to conflict and pray for peace.
Find out more about the visit.
Peace is crucial. It’s only possible for people to flourish in times of peace. With your prayers, we can also stand alongside families in South Sudan.
Ecumenical prayer from South Sudan Council of Churches
The South Sudan Council of Churches shared this prayer to encourage people to pray for the Pilgrimage of Peace:
Our Heavenly Father, you sent us your son Jesus Christ as our Shepherd and the Holy Spirit to make us one in you.
Bless, guide and protect your servants, His Holiness Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland Iain Greenshields as they come for the Ecumenical Pilgrimage of Peace to our land South Sudan.
Look with favour upon your Church, O Lord, as we prepare to receive them.
Send your Holy Spirit upon the Faith Leaders, and the entire people of God to continue the work of renewal and transformation in our country.
Grant our political leaders the spirit of compromise, commitment, wisdom, trust and understanding, to lead your people in the ways of peace, healing, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Almighty God, may the Ecumenical Pilgrimage of these Eminent Global Church Leaders increase in us the virtue of love, hope, faith, peace, healing, forgiveness, reconciliation and unity.
We pray this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Prayer: South Sudan Council of Churches
“I pray that all may be one.” John 17:21
Loving God,
pour out your peace upon us all.
Lead us in your ways,
united with our brothers and sisters in Christ
throughout the world.
Hear our prayer,
especially for the people of South Sudan.
Fill them with hope
and strengthen their commitment
as they come together
to seek reconciliation
and build peace, trust and understanding.
Work through your people
to break down the barriers
that prevent change.
Melt the mistrust that divides,
and calm the fears that lead to violence.
And unite us all
in our desire for peace
so that everyone may live
free from conflict, hunger and injustice
and all may flourish as one human family.
Amen.
Prayer: Catherine Gorman/CAFOD