August 6 Nuclear Prayer Day: Reflection, Hope, Action

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On August 6, 1945, at 8:15 AM, the first atomic bomb was dropped by the US Air Force on the people of Hiroshima, Japan. On August 9th at 11:15 AM, the second atomic bomb was dropped on the people of Nagasaki.

The magnitude of death and destruction made clear that nuclear weapons must never be used again.

Yet, since then, the potential for nuclear catastrophe has grown to an unimaginable scale.

This August 6th, on the 79th anniversary of that horrific tragedy, people around the world will be joining in prayer for a future free from the threat of nuclear weapons. You and/or your faith community are encouraged to join this global community of prayer! Prayers and prayer gatherings are invited throughout the days on, before and after August 6th and 9th.

 



JOIN A LIVE Zoom EVENT at 9am PT on August 6th organized by VOICES for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons.

"Spiritual Power: Hope in Action for Nuclear Weapon Abolition"
Tuesday, August 6, 9am PT

This conversation-style event will be streamed globally, and will include people who have been directly affected, long-time leaders for nuclear weapon abolition, and young, inspiring activists. There will also be opportunity for dialogue among participants about where we find our strength for this work and what each of us can do to help. 

Here is the link (no registration required):  <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88371822270> 
Zoom Meeting ID: 8837 1822 270

Click here to download and share a flyer.

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JOIN LOCAL Annual Hiroshima Commemoration at Livermore Lab now also live-streamed!
August 6, 8:30am at Livermore Nuclear Lab AND on Zoom

This year speakers include Norman Solomon, Patricia Ellsberg, Hideaki Ito (director of "Sllent Fallout"), Rev. Monica Cross (CA Poor People's Campaign), and Maylene Hughes (Back from the Brink). Music by Andrea Prichett.

The rally will be followed by traditional Japanese Bon Dance, inviting our ancestors to join us, then nonviolent witness and direct action for those who so choose.

CLICK HERE for more information and links for Zoom and livestream.

This year's Livermore Action is part of the National Back from the Brink Campaign, bringing communities together to prevent the growing threat that nuclear weapons pose to our health, environment and all we hold dear.



One possible prayer for a world free of nuclear weapons is offered by the sponsoring organization VOICES for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons, a part of the United Religions Initiative. Click here to download. This prayer is also available in many different languages here on the URI website. (Use the "Select a Language" option in the top left side of the webpage.)

Many other possible prayers are included on this website, and you are invited to write your own, too.



The Nuclear Prayer Day is hosted by VOICES for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons.

MVPJ is a cosponsor of the Nuclear Prayer Day 2024. If you would like to invite others to a gathering opportunity, no matter how small, to pray for a future free of the threat of nuclear weapon, please let us know and we are happy to publicize it. Email info@multifaithpeace.org



A Nuclear Prayer
 
“The Beginning and the End are in your hands, O Creator of the Universe.
And in our hands you have placed the fate of this planet.
 
We, who are tested by having both creative and destructive power in our free will, turn to you in sober fear and in intoxicating hope.
 
We ask for your guidance and to share in your imagination in our deliberations about the use of nuclear force.
 
Help us to lift the fog of atomic darkness that hovers so pervasively over our Earth, Your Earth, so that soon all eyes may see life magnified by your pure light.
 
Bless all of us who wait today for your Presence and who dedicate ourselves to achieve your intended peace and rightful equilibrium on Earth.
 
In the Name of all that is holy and all that is hoped. Amen.”
 


When a former Secretary of State, a former Secretary of Defense, several United States Ambassadors, a famous physicist, and a few friends pray each month for the elimination of nuclear weapons, it raises lots of questions. What do they know that everyone needs to know? Why are they praying? What is their prayer?  

Click here for a short video from the United Religions Initiative (URI) website, to view the unfolding of this prayer and to meet these veterans of nuclear negotiations:

• The Honorable William J. Perry, former Secretary of Defense under President Clinton
• The Honorable George P. Shultz, former Secretary of State under President Reagan
• Dr. Sidney Drell, Professor Emeritus at the Stanford Linear Accelerator 
• Ambassador James E. Goodby, former Strategic Nuclear Arms Negotiator with the U.S.S.R.
• Ambassador Thomas Graham, Jr, former Senior U.S. Diplomat 
• Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute 
• Monica Willard, United Religions Initiative Representative to the United Nations 
• The Right Rev. William E. Swing, former Episcopal Bishop of California, and President and Founder of the United Religions Initiative