Congregations of many faiths throughout Indiana are joining religious people across the country in praying this weekend for a nation at war.
Communities that have been praying for weeks for the men and women in military service stepped up that support, opening chapels for vigils. Leaders of denominations that have been on record opposing the start of war in Iraq, are now calling on the faithful to pray for a speedy end to conflict.
Indiana United Methodist Bishop Woodie White is asking congregations across the state to pray for President Bush and his advisers and for the leaders and people of Iraq.
"I call upon pastors and congregations to take time during your Sunday morning worship to pray for our president and those leaders who advise him. Pray that a way yet may be found to quickly bring an end to this violent confrontation and thus spare the lives and suffering of both the people of the United States and Iraq.
"Pray, too, for President Saddam Hussein and his advisers that they will be led to negotiate with our president to quickly bring an end to this dreadful confrontation."
Members of the Sikh community gathered late this week in its temple on the Southeastside to pray for peace.
"Along with all Americans, we pray for the safe return of all our young men and women in the war theater at this time. Our thought and prayers are with our servicemen and their families," said K.P. Singh on behalf of the Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis. "At the Sikh Temple here and in temples all over the world, prayers are made daily: 'In Thy Name, by Thy Grace, may there be peace and goodwill among all people everywhere.' "
At Traders Point Christian Church, clergy and others continue to pray for the friends and relatives of church members who are fighting the way, said Janie Gregory, a spokeswoman at the church. Clergy have directed members to In Touch Ministries, the web site of the Rev. Charles Stanley, a Southern Baptist pastor and television evangelist who has suggested 31 biblical passages that can help people pray for soldiers and a nation at war. The site is www.intouch.org.
At St. Christopher Catholic Church in Speedway, the names of servicemen and -women from the parish are inscribed in a prayer book that stands in the narthex of the church, and an American flag stands at one side.
"We are encouraging people to pray for the military and for the nation," said Nancy Meyer, pastoral associate. "It's one way we are trying to help people connect with what is happening in very ordinary, real ways in their lives."
![K.P. Singh](javascript:openWin("http://www.sikhspectrum.com/images/kp2.jpg") "K.P. Singh")