Anglican Church leaders in Fiji are asking Sydney Christians to pray for peace as the nation’s military coup threatens to descend into violence.

Bishop of Viti Levu West, Gabriel Sharma, told sydneyanglicans.net that Fijian Christians are praying especially that no one will be harmed.

Smh.com.au has reported that an unidentified group of traditional warriors has threatened to kill coup leader Frank Bainimarama if he does not return the country to democratic rule by Christmas.

The military has said that they are "ready' for any attack.

Archbishop Jabez Bryce, co-presiding bishop of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, based in Suva spoke out last week against the coup.

He reiterated his support for the "duly-elected government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase' and complained that the coup was a "regrettable' hijacking of a "slow-moving' process.

Bishop Sharma says that the majority of Fijians believe that the coup is illegal, but that a silent minority thinks that the coup was "the only thing that could have happened.'

He also calls on the outside world to try to understand the situation.

"We have heard a number of negative remarks [about the situation in Fiji], but this will not help the people," he says.

One of the main effects of the coup on Fijians has been the tourist downturn.

Bishop Sharma says that many churchgoers in his region have been laid off as hotel visits have slumped.

He says that many people are still hopeful for a democratic resolution, but requests that Sydney Anglicans continue to pray.