The leader of The Salvation Army worldwide, General Shaw Clifton, has written to Salvationists inviting them to pray for lasting peace and for victims of trafficking.

General Clifton, who was elected as the international leader of The Salvation Army in early 2006, asked the global Salvation Army body to be "in prayer" throughout September.

He asked specifically that Salvationists take part in the International Day of Prayer for Peace on 21 September or the closest Sunday.

"It is an opportunity for the people of Christ in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, in their families, in communities, and in international relations," said General Clifton.

"We can also bring to God in prayer those caught up in conflict, those working for peace, and political and military leaders who make decisions impacting the lives of millions," he said, reminding Salvationists that Jesus is "the Prince of Peace, who gives peace to our hearts such as the world cannot give".

He urged Salvationists to begin their prayers for the peace in the world by making sure that their own lives were being lived out peacefully. "We can begin by shunning strife in our own personal lives and praying that God will grant us grace for this day by day."

Sex trafficking has long been high on The Salvation Army's agenda. General Clifton appealed to Salvationists to pray on Sunday 30 September "for those exploited and irreparably damaged as victims of this dreadfully evil trade".

"The holy instinct for addressing it can be said to be part of our DNA," he said.

The latest prayer appeal follows on from the General's successful call to prayer last year for victims of sex trade trafficking, which affects an estimated 1.2 million children each year.

General Clifton encouraged Salvationists by reassuring them of the power of prayer: "God honours our praying and the result is changed people and changed situations."

He added: "Thank you for your prayers. God will hear us. Then he will use us."