In 1983, Open Doors called for seven years of prayer for the fall of the Iron Curtain and Communism. Exactly seven years later—December 1989—bulldozers started demolishing the Berlin wall.

The first multi-party elections were held in South Africa in 1994. Around the world, people prayed that the expected bloodbath would not happen. Three 40-day fasts were held before the elections, which turned out to be the most peaceful democratic elections in Africa—an internationally recognized miracle.

In 1995, intercessors in Yugoslavia united across denominational lines for five weeks of prayer. At the end of this time of prayer, the war in neighboring Bosnia was ended, and the peace accord signed in Dayton and Paris.

Some conflicts are so difficult that they can only be resolved by prayer. So pray diligently for peace and understanding. Conflicts tend to escalate over time; prayer unwinds the tension and leads to resolution.

Jesus Christ prayed for our unity. I’ve often asked myself—were his words in John 17:11, 21, 22, 23 soaked in tears as he looked down over the centuries of time at the condition of the church? ( “…so that they may be one as we are one…that all of them may be one, Father, just as y ou are in me and I am in you…that they may be one as we are one…may they be brought to complete unity…” )

The apostle Paul also has much to share on this subject. After pleading with co-workers Eudia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord he shares this exhortation: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Pray diligently for peace and understanding.