"On September 11 we were shocked by news of the four airplanes that were hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Centre towers and the Pentagon and in western Pennsylvania, with the loss of life and property and the grief and insecurity that this brought.

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches shares that grief. We condemn these criminal attacks. We condemn terrorist acts anywhere in the world.

In the last month, we have voiced concern about the language of retaliation and war that we hear from political leaders in the US and other countries. We have cautioned against any response which does not identify with clear evidence those responsible for the September 11 tragedy, boasts of the superiority of one civilization over others, or seeks the solution to such criminal acts in military reprisals.

On October 7 we were shocked to learn that air strikes by the USA and the UK have begun against targets in Afghanistan. This too creates fear in many countries. We greatly regret that military attacks began before all political and juridical options had been exhausted. This war deepens the cycle of violence, and can easily be turned into an inter-religious conflict by parties with all kinds of interests and motives. There are signs that this is already happening. It is in the interest of world peace that the military attacks be stopped now.

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches is firmly committed to justice, the integrity of God's creation, dialogue between religions and cultures, and life in fullness for all. The Alliance calls its member churches and other Christian churches to prayer for all who are caught up in these events, careful analysis in the light of our vision of peace born from justice, and renewed service to our neighbours.

We ask prayer for:
a) Those directly affected by the attacks on September 11 and their families.
b) The people of Afghanistan, especially women and children and those where bombing is taking place and in the refugee camps.
c) People in adjacent countries who are also deeply affected.
d) Governments and decision-makers in the US, Afghanistan and elsewhere, that they may refrain from promoting or protecting evil or putting their trust in military might.
e) Churches and church leaders throughout the world, that they may counsel peace and challenge the forces of death.
f) Muslim, Jewish and other religious leaders, that they may speak for life and mutual respect between communities and nations.

This is a time to make use of inter-religious dialogue to counter the use of religious sentiment to pit people against one another, to foster non-violent approaches to conflict, and to create cultures of peaceful coexistence.

No analysis can excuse the killing of innocent people, but we need to understand how the actions of powerful governments can lead to resentment and anger, especially among young people. We need to recognize how poverty and injustice can become breeding grounds for terror and support for terror. We need to identify the root causes of terrorism, and to find more peaceful ways to combat it on the basis of international consensus.

Our Reformed faith summons us to stand together against violence and evil in every form. The events of September 11 and October 7 have led many people to despair. We have a Christian responsibility to be a beacon of hope. We can move towards fullness of life for all when, through our reflections and actions, people are helped to envisage a better way forward. We echo the vision of Isaiah of a world in which:

They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.
Isaiah 2.4