The World Evangelical Alliance, and the World Council of Churches, two major Christian international organizations, expressed grief over the attacks that occurred in Paris on Friday that left almost 130 dead and over 350 people injured, and the bombings that occurred in Beirut on Thursday that killed over 40 people.
"The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is grieved by the multiple attacks in Paris and Beirut that reportedly took some 170 innocent lives and wounded many more," the WEA's statement read.
Efraim Tendero, the secretary general of the WEA, condemned the terrorist acts "in the strongest terms," and expressed that the WEA stands in solidarity with the people in France and Lebanon.
"We echo the words of our brothers and sisters in France who said: 'France is not alone! At this time, millions of Christians around the world are praying for our country.' Yes, we are praying for France and Lebanon, and we call on churches around the world to join us," Tendero said. "Pray for hope, pray for healing, and pray for wisdom as the two nations seek the right way forward."
The World Council of Churches (WCC) also expressed their standing in solidarity with France and Lebanon.
"We are with them in deep compassion and prayer," the WCC's statement read. "We pray that they may be comforted, by the love and care they have received from those who have now been brutally taken away, and by the support and solidarity of others, of their families and neighbours -- whoever or wherever they may be."
"As representatives of churches from across the whole world, we the executive committee of the World Council of Churches ... pray and trust that God, the creator and the source of all life, will comfort, console, and protect those affected by these attacks and all those who suffer and fear. We hope and pray that they will receive and be assured by these signs that they are not alone," the WCC continued.
The WCC added that what happened in France and Beirut cannot "ever be justified in the name of God or of any religion."
"Violence in the name of religion is violence against religion. We condemn, reject, and denounce it," the WCC added, and encouraged the public to hold firm to "democratic, intercultural, and human rights values," and "show that our shared respect for human life and dignity is stronger than this evil act of terror."
"Let us continue to strive to do what we know is required of us: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God on the way of justice and peace," the WCC concluded, referring to Micah 6:8.
