spirituality

There are many public occasions when people of different religions want to join together, for example after a tragedy such as the attack on the World Trade Centre on 11 September 2001, to pray for peace, as at the Days of Prayer at Assisi convened by Pope John Paul II, or to mark a special occasion such as the Millennium.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 2 (VNN) — Debora Nunes, a Hare Krishna, raises her hands during a multi-denominational prayer beneath the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on New Year's Eve. The gathering was to pray for peace on the last day of the millennium.

In some countries national events may be marked by an interfaith ceremony, but this will vary from country to country depending on 'church-state' and interfaith relationships.

The World Peace Prayer Ceremony is a global celebration of the oneness of humanity. The Ceremony invites people from every race, religion and background to pray jointly for the peace of the lands and people of the world. During the Ceremony, a prayer is recited for peace and happiness to prevail in every nation of the world.
As all assembled voice their prayers, the national flag of each country is gracefully presented, acting as a spiritual symbol through which the loving wishes for all life on earth are expressed toward every region of the world.
The World Peace Prayer Ceremony is a moving ritual of prayer for world peace. It is can be a beautiful opening or closing ceremony for a large conference or gathering at a university or place of worship. A Ceremony can celebrate special occasions such as the International Day of Peace or an important date in history. It can be done in great majesty in a large hall or as a small meeting of dedicated friends of peace, with or without flags. The important thing is simply to pray for peace for everyone in the world.