Contact: Maureen Flynn, International Week of Prayer and Fasting, 703-707-0799, iwopfinfo@aol.com

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today the world faces unprecedented global financial crises, record-breaking natural disasters, and the imminent threat of a third world war igniting in the Middle East beginning with Syria. In addition, just this week, Pope Francis issued a worldwide plea for prayer and fasting for peace in Syria and the Middle East. "I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church on 7 Sept. next, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world." www.zenit.org/en/articles/on-the-plea-for-peace.

To help combat these alarming threats, a grassroots Coalition of Catholic and Christian organizations worldwide are mobilizing for the 21st Annual International Week of Prayer and Fasting (IWOPF) Campaign, September 21-29, 2013. The campaign will begin with a kick-off international day of prayer event at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, August 21st at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Avenue, Northeast, Washington, D.C. Those interested in participating in this FREE kick-off event are asked to please register online at www.iwopf.org.

This grassroots IWOPF coalition is supporting our Bishop's call to "Prayer for Life, Marriage and Religious Liberty." The Bishop's call to pray also includes fasting on Fridays.

For nine days we are joining forces to pray and fast, imploring God's Mercy to save our families, our communities, our nation, and our world. The coalition is asking for citizens around the globe to participate as individuals, families and parishes by attending daily masses and holy hours, going to confession, praying the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and fasting. The goals of the "week" (nine days) are: to pray and fast for the conversion of peoples and nations, to pray and fast to build a culture of life, and to pray and fast for peace in the world.

Guest speakers for the event include Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Andy Lavalle, Robin Teresa Beck and Father Bill Halbing. Their biographies can be found on the IWOPF website (www.iwopf.org). In past years, the global prayer movement has received an apostolic blessing from Blessed Pope John Paul II and an endorsement from Blessed Mother Teresa.

Coalition chairperson Maureen Flynn says, "Many news broadcasters and religious commentators speak today about our global financial crisis, the scandals of our administration, and the global imminent threat of world war. However, few speak about our rapid spiritual and moral decline, which manifest in our families and our nations. Many people believe that America is now under God's judgment. In addition to the concern over the state of our global economies and the violence in our world, there should be outrage and sorrow over the daily destruction of over 4,000 unborn babies in America through abortion, the euthanizing of our elderly, and the mass murders/shootings of our youth, etc." We must remember, Our Lord is a God of Mercy and He responds to our repentance and prayers. As individuals, as families, and as nations we must pray and fast for a return to a moral and spiritual nation founded on God.

For more information or to participate in the FREE event at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, please visit our website www.iwopf.org, contact us at 1-888-478 PRAY / 703-707-0799, or email iwopfinfo@aol.com.