The World Council of Churches is speaking after North Korea's vice foreign minister Han Song Ryol (below, top) claimed the US President Donald Trump was creating a "vicious cycle" on the Korean Peninsula, while his "aggressive tweets" were "making trouble".
Han Song Ryol's comments come after the US sent an aircraft carrier to the Korean Peninsula, and conducts its largest ever joint-military exercises with the South Korean army.
"We will go to war if they choose," he told AP.
The US has confirmed it is considering military options in response to any new missile launches by North Korea. The country recently tested a ballistic missile to international condemnation.
It is thought North Korea may fire more missiles to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the communist state's founder, Kim Il-Sung, on Saturday.
"The World Council of Churches (WCC) joins the National Council of Churches in [South] Korea (NCCK) in expressing grave concern at the re-deployment of the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier group to the seas surrounding the Korean peninsula," its statement said.
"In a context of already heightened tensions... and North Korean threats of a nuclear response - this constitutes a further escalation of military confrontation in the region.
"We call for all people of good will to join in praying for wisdom and restraint on the part of all those with the instruments of such deadly force in their hands... to reduce tensions and promote dialogue and negotiations, rather than initiatives such as those now being taken."
