By Purushottam Nayak –
New Delhi: Acting on an appeal from Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), Indian children began praying on Friday, March 13, 2026 for the peace in the Middle East.
Indian children across the country are joining together in prayer for peace in the Middle East, responding to the growing violence and humanitarian crisis affecting thousands of innocent people.
The call to prayer reflects the Christian belief that prayer and sacrifice can help bring healing, reconciliation, and peace to a troubled world.
Church communities, religious congregations, youth groups, and families have begun observing special prayer services, fasting, and Eucharistic adoration to seek God’s mercy for the nations affected by war. Many parishes have dedicated Mass intentions specifically for peace in the Middle East.
Fr. George Badseth, the new priest of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, encouraged the faithful to remember the words of Christ: “’Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9.)” We really share our deepest solidarity with the victims of the war when we fast and pray. It is indeed one of the good virtues when we sacrifice our food and drink, comforts and pleasures. We are united with the victims of the present war when we pray for the establishment of peace in war hit West Asia,” said Father Badset.
CCBI has urged Indian faithful to pray for an immediate ceasefire and dialogue between nations, remembering the victims, refugees, and injured in the conflict. The leaders of the Church ask people to plead God to guide world leaders toward justice and reconciliation.
Young people and lay movements in many dioceses have organized rosary prayers, night vigils, and peace marches, praying especially for children and families affected by the war. Social media has also been used to encourage believers to dedicate specific days to fasting and intercession.
“I have strong faith in God that His intervention in the present restless world peace and reconciliation will be possible,” affirmed Nilanchal Digal, a young man of Eastern Indian state of Odisha.
The president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão has urged Indian faithful to begin prayer for Peace amid escalating tensions and violence in parts of the Middle East from March 8 to March 14.