Statement: LWF Council’s Call for Sharing Hope in Times of Crises

The Lutheran World Federation Council, meeting under the theme ‘Be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith’ – (Rom.1:12), issues the following statement:

Date 15 June 2026 
FOUNEX, Switzerland

As the current global context is marked by violent conflicts, military escalation, displacement, and injustice, the Council is deeply concerned about political voices that press for increased militarization and rhetoric of political power and domination instead of advocating for the protection of human dignity and the pursuit of the common good. 

The Council gives thanks to God for the hopeful witness of the LWF member churches, particularly those in areas of increased violent conflicts and wars. The Council encourages them to continue preaching the message of hope in these difficult times, through prayer, service to the neighbor, and prophetic voice for justice and peace. 

The Council reaffirms the radical claim of the Lutheran theology of the cross that God is first and foremost not found in triumph or power, but God is present and known in the crucified Christ, who is fully present with those who are suffering, displaced, dying, and crushed beneath the weight of violence and war. We are called to serve as instruments of peace in the midst of conflict and war, and to recognize God already present in suffering. 

The Council recognizes that increased violence and economic and political instability directly and indirectly impact lives and livelihoods, which may lead to people losing hope. 

Against every false assurance from misleading theologies and ideologies that say “peace, when there is no peace” while promoting war, Christian hope refuses both naïve optimism and disempowering despair. Despair treats current suffering as if it were the last word, but the resurrection of Christ reminds us that even death is not the final word. Instead, we bear witness to hope as a lens for viewing reality in light of Christ’s birth, life, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. 

The Council holds in prayer before God all those who have not yet found a way to hope. May the God of Hope and Peace hold the suffering, protect the vulnerable, and never abandon those who cry out for peace. May God give all peacemakers strength, love, and patience in their service for reconciliation and transformative peace, as Jesus said: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”